Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said in his statement here on Sunday that the KCJB permit issuance means that the rail service has passed the operational feasibility requirement.
"Alhamdulillah (thank God), all testing and certification have been carried out so that we can issue this operating permit and KCJB can carry out its commercial operation soon," Sumadi said.
The minister explained that the KCJB commercial operation will be conducted in stages until the ultimate scenario of 68 trips per day.
His side will provide a feeder rail to facilitate KCJB passengers reaching Bandung City from the Padalarang Station.
"This gradual operation is carried out to let the operator adjust and maximize services," he said.
Furthermore, to attract public interest in riding the KCJB, he said that the ticket costs will be discounted for the initial operations.
He also expected that PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC) as KCJB operator can prepare a commercial operation that will be inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
"Hopefully, KCJB can be used by the general public and positively contribute to the nation's economic growth," he said.
Earlier, Sumadi said that the KJCB train, the current fastest train in Southeast Asia, is called "Whoosh", whose name comes from the sound of a fast train.
Whoosh stands for "Time Saving, Optimal Operation, Reliable System" in Indonesian.
KCJB is the first high-speed train service in Indonesia and Southeast Asia that will operate at a speed of up to 350 km/hour.
The entire KCJB route is as far as 142.3 km with 13 tunnels and stops at four stations, namely Halim, Karawang, Padalarang, and Tegalluar.
To improve connectivity, KCJB stations will be integrated with the Greater Jakarta LRT, feeder train, the Greater Bandung Commuter Line, bus rapid transit, shuttle, and taxi.
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Translator: Benardy F, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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