In his Instagram post cited here on Sunday, Thohir noted that Southeast Asia's first fast train service had been bringing a wide range of benefits to the public since its inception on October 17 last year.
"Not only Whoosh lessens the travel time, but the train also makes the use of energy more efficient. Owing to its electricity-powered engine, the Jakarta-Bandung fast train can cut fuel costs by Rp3.2 trillion per year," he stated.
The minister also pointed to the fact that the high-speed train had accommodated as many as four million passengers as of July, adding that the number reflects people's high level of enthusiasm and trust in the fast train service.
Thohir then underlined that the presence of the fast train had increased the number of tourists and stimulated economic growth in regions.
"The Jakarta-Bandung fast train had contributed Rp86.5 trillion (US$5.3 billion) to the value of regional gross domestic products of Jakarta and West Java," he stated.
With a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the Whoosh high-speed train swiftly transports people from Halim Station in Jakarta to Tegalluar Station in Bandung and vice versa.
Thanks to the train, people can now travel between the two regions within around 40 minutes, a significant reduction of the previous travel time of three hours.
Earlier, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi spoke highly of the train, saying that it has enabled Indonesia to keep up with developed countries.
"The presence of the Whoosh train has ended the era of fast train-less Southeast Asia and marked a new era of Indonesia's railway," he remarked.
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Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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