Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (KCJB), dubbed "Whoosh", on Monday, marking the beginning of its operation as Indonesia's newest transportation mode after five years of preparation.

The train, said to have the same system and technology as its country of manufacture, namely China, will operate on a freeway rail, achieving a travel speed of up to 350 kilometers (km) per hour. Whoosh is poised to become a new transportation milestone in Indonesia.

Operated by the two-country consortium, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), Whoosh will offer more diverse and efficient travel options between Jakarta and Bandung.

In fact, the introduction of this high-speed train is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the highways connecting the two cities, covering a distance of around 145 km.

With the operation of this high-speed train, travel time between Jakarta and Bandung will be reduced to less than an hour, down from the previous three-hour journey. This shift will also encourage a move from private vehicles usage to public transportation.

With a top speed of 350 km per hour, Whoosh can complete a trip from Tegalluar Station in Bandung District, West Java, to Halim Station in Jakarta in approximately 45 minutes.

The time excluded two stops between Tegalluar and Halim stations, namely Padalarang and Karawang stations. During the trial period, the train did not stop at Padalarang and paused at Karawang for five minutes. The total travel time, including stops at Padalarang and Karawang, may extend to 60 minutes.

In comparison with private vehicles, the one-hour travel time equates to the journey from Cimindi Station in the western part of Bandung City to the Bandung City-Bandung District border in Cibiru, located in the eastern part of Bandung City, or from Ledeng Terminal in north Bandung to the Buahbatu Toll Gate in southern Bandung City.

Translator: Ricky Prayoga, Resinta S
Editor: Anton Santoso
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