Indonesian High-Speed Train Whoosh Records 4mn Passengers in 9 Months of Operation
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15 July 2024 20:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian high-speed train Whoosh has sold over 4 million tickets since it operated commercially last year on October 17. General Manager Corporate Secretary of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) Eva Chairunisa said Whoosh recorded around 9,000 passengers per day at the start of its operation.
The number currently increased by twofold at a daily average of 18,000 to 22,000 passengers. Eva said as many as 44 percent of Whoosh passengers were for tourism, holiday, or family activities, based on a survey participated by a thousand Whoosh passengers during the first semester of 2024.
"This figure underlines the important role of Whoosh in supporting and promoting the tourism sector in Indonesia," said Eva in an official statement, quoted on Monday, July 15, 2024.
In the first half of 2024 alone, Whoosh has served over 2.6 million passengers. Eva explained that the passenger's hike was in line with additional trips that the company regularly includes. From the 14 trips Whoosh slated at the beginning of its operation, there are currently 48 trips per day with a headway of up to 30 minutes.
According to management, the surge in Whoosh passengers is also due to the rise in tourist visits. The West Java Provincial Central Statistics Agency noted an increase of 94.84 percent in tourist visits to the region in May 2024 compared to the previous month.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (Astindo), reported that Whoosh helped promote Jakarta and Bandung to the people of Southeast Asia.
General Chairperson of Astindo, Pauline Suharno, said Astindo received many requests for tours by Whoosh, dominated by students and corporations who wish to experience the first high-speed train project in Southeast Asia.
The existence of Whoosh is claimed to help increase tourist visits to Jakarta, especially from ASEAN countries. “As (Whoosh) is the first high-speed train in ASEAN countries,” Pauline said.
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