Whoosh Rp300,000 Tickets Won't Be Popular Anytime Soon, Observer Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An economist and the director of Indonesia Development and Islamic Studies (IDEAS), Yusuf Wibisono responded to the issued promoted fare of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Train (KCJB) or Whoosh, amounting to Rp300,000. The fare will be implemented for trips starting October 18 and will include the Feeder Trains.

"I believe this Rp300,000 promo fare will not be popular anytime soon. Even if this fare includes the feeder to and from the high-speed trains," he said when called on Monday, October 16.

The reason, Yusuf said, is because the commuter flow from Jakarta to Bandung and vice versa is relatively small with an adequate service. The number of people commuting between both cities every day is estimated around 150,000 people. The majority of these people use private vehicles, and only 15 to 20 percent are commuting with public transportation, including Argo Parahyangan Train, travel, and buses.

"The biggest passenger potential is those who are familiar with public transportation, around 20 to 25 thousand each day," Yusuf said.

The average fare of public transportation between Jakarta and Bandung is Rp100,000 to Rp200,000. Thus, Yusuf believes that it will be difficult to convince people to move to another mode of transportation with Rp300,000 fares. There is a possibility that the high-speed train is only accessible to people who usually use private cars.

Additionally, the comfort factor must also be considered. "With private vehicles, they could drive point to point with a flexible trip schedule.

PT KCIC officially implemented the promo fare of Rp300,000 for all routes and trips starting Wednesday, October 18. "Whoosh High-speed trains serve the round trips for Halim-Padalarang and Halim-Tegalluar," said the General Manager Corporate Secretary PT KCIC Eva Chairunisa in a written statement on Saturday.

Eva explained that the promo is implemented to familiarize the public with Whoosh. "The fare policy was implemented after conducting various studies, surveys, and observing the public phenomenon and needs," she said.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

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