A passenger holding her baby is pictured on a running train on Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, June 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) has transported more than 10 million passengers as of Wednesday since it began operations on Oct. 17, 2023, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms that constructs and operates the railway announced on Thursday.

The KCIC also noted that the HSR, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative jointly developed by China and Indonesia, has operated 29,778 train trips and covered over 4.63 million km safely since its commercial operation.

In response to rising travel demand, the KCIC has continuously optimized train schedules and expanded capacity. The daily number of train trips has increased from 14 at launch to 62, with seating capacity rising from 8,400 to over 37,000. The railway reached a record of 25,000 passengers in a single day, with peak occupancy rates as high as 99.64 percent.

To support long-term localized operations, the Chinese side has provided comprehensive training to Indonesian staff through theoretical instruction, simulation drills, and on-the-job mentorship. So far, 600 Indonesian trainees have completed certification programs, with 263 receiving official recognition from Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation. Among them, 34 drivers have begun operating high-speed trains independently under Chinese supervision.

Passenger services have also been upgraded. Online ticketing and refund options have been introduced alongside traditional ticket counters, with support for multiple payment methods. Station facilities have been improved for smoother boarding and transfers, including better integration with taxis, light rail, and conventional rail systems.

The Jakarta-Bandung HSR connects Indonesia's biggest city Jakarta with Bandung in West Java province, reducing travel time between the two cities from over three hours to just 46 minutes. With a maximum operating speed of 350 km/h, the railway offers a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly travel option.