How An Indonesian High-speed Train Has Become A Success

48% of today's passengers were previously using private cars to travel between Jakarta and Bandung.

Whoosh high-speed train, with "Whoosh" branding decal on its nose, passing over Kopo, Bandung.

CREDIT: Naufal Farras, Wiki

The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, also known as “Whoosh,” has experienced significant success since it began operations on October 17 of this year. According to the Indonesian transportation company PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) as of Tuesday the train has served a total of 1,028,216 passengers within just two months.

Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, the President Director of KCIC, underscored that this milestone demonstrates a strong demand for modern and efficient mass transportation in Indonesia. The train appears to have been well-received by the public, with an average passenger occupancy rate reaching 90% of the total available seats in each train. Riyadi expressed the commitment of KCIC to continue providing high-quality services to ensure that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train remains the preferred choice for people traveling between the two cities.

This positive reception and high demand may signify a shift in the preferences of the public towards faster and more efficient modes of transportation, contributing to the development of modern infrastructure in the region.

A recent survey suggested that the Whoosh high-speed train has successfully incentivized people to switch from using private cars to opting for mass transport. According to the survey, 48% of Whoosh passengers were previously using private cars to travel between Jakarta and Bandung before the high-speed train became operational. This shift in transportation preferences indicates that the train has been effective in encouraging the public to rely more on mass transit options.

KCIC highlighted that the availability of proper facilities and efficient services has played a crucial role in attracting people to choose public transport, specifically the Whoosh high-speed train. Additionally, the train has operated smoothly since the beginning of its operations, with no reported accidents.

In response to increased demand during the Christmas and New Year holidays, KCIC has increased the number of daily travels for Whoosh from 40 to 48 per day. This adjustment aims to accommodate the expected rise in passenger numbers during the year-end holidays.

KCIC mentioned that the highest number of passengers recorded in a single day stands at 21,500, indicating the popularity and high demand for the high-speed train service. This data suggests that the Whoosh train has become a preferred mode of transportation for a significant number of people traveling between Jakarta and Bandung.