Indonesia to Launch First High-speed Train 'Whoosh' on October 2

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will launch Whoosh, the country’s first high-speed train connecting the capital city of Jakarta and Bandung, on Monday, October 2, 2023. Mohamad Risal Wasal, the Railways Director General at the Transportation Ministry, said the train’s operation permit had been approved.

“It (the permit) has been issued. We will announce the information later,” Risal briefly told Tempo via a text message on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He stopped short of detailing when the permit was issued.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also confirmed that President Jokowi and possibly with Chinese President Xi Jinping will inaugurate the bullet train, which is a joint project between the two countries, on October 2, 2023.

“President Xi Jinping will probably attend the launch,” Luhut said in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday, September 28.

Regarding ticket prices, Luhut claimed that the government would gradually grant discounts. However, the cut price will not always be available. “There will be a time when it will return to normal price,” he added.

Luhut also said that President Jokowi had ordered the integration of the transportation system. “So there will be one ticket for all destinations,” he said.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI | YOHANES MAHARSO JOHARSOYO

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