by Nurul Fitri Ramadhani

JAKARTA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Since beginning its commercial operations in October 2023, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, locally known as Whoosh, has introduced not only a new level of mobility but also a transformative travel experience for Indonesians.

Connecting Indonesia's biggest city Jakarta with Bandung in West Java, Whoosh is the first high-speed train in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

In over a year and a half, more than 10 million passengers have experienced Whoosh's speed, seamless integration with other transport infrastructure, and high standards of comfort. As of Wednesday, Whoosh has carried a record 10,014,707 passengers, a milestone that reflects the public's strong enthusiasm and trust in the new transport system.

For Sophia, a 37-year-old mother of two who commutes between Jakarta and Bandung every weekend, Whoosh is more than just transportation, it's a lifeline to her family.

"Going home now is just one minute away," she told Xinhua at the Whoosh Halim Station in Jakarta. "Whoosh has become a proper mode of transportation worthy of human dignity. We shouldn't spend so much time on the road. Time is valuable," she said.

For others, like 45-year-old Akhyar, Whoosh has brought economic opportunity. His cake shop near the Bandung train station, linked to Whoosh's Padalarang Station by a feeder train, has seen a surge in customers, thanks to an influx of tourists brought in by the train.

The Whoosh project was first announced in 2015, with construction beginning after a groundbreaking ceremony in 2016. After years of building and operational trials, commercial service officially launched on Oct. 17, 2023. A collaborative project between Indonesia and China, Whoosh made Indonesia the first country in Southeast Asia to operate a high-speed train.

The system is also notable for its integration with other modes of transportation, including feeder trains, Jakarta's LRT, buses, and taxis, making travel across regions more convenient and connected.

"This 10-million-passenger achievement is not just a number. It symbolizes Indonesia's progress in providing modern, environmentally friendly, and high-standard transportation," said Eva Chairunisa, general manager corporate secretary of PT KCIC, the operator of Whoosh. "It's proof that Indonesia is capable of transforming the transportation sector to improve mobility and connectivity for the public," she noted.

Eva added that Whoosh's development also involved significant technology and knowledge transfer. Now, all operations are fully managed by Indonesian human resources, demonstrating national progress in mastering advanced transport technologies.

Syurialdi, deputy head of Whoosh Halim Station, expressed pride in being part of the pioneering project. He recounted meeting first-time passengers, grandparents traveling with their grandchildren, who expressed heartfelt gratitude.

"It is a source of pride for me, because this is the first in Southeast Asia," he said. "We must keep improving, especially in terms of service, equipment, and cleanliness of the stations."

The impact of Whoosh extends to the travel industry as well. The Indonesian Travel Agent Association (Astindo) reported increasing demand for group tours using the high-speed train, particularly from students and corporate groups.

"The existence of Whoosh is very helpful for us in Jakarta in promoting the city as a tourist destination, especially for visitors from ASEAN countries," said Astindo Chairwoman Pauline Suharno. "Among ASEAN countries, only Indonesia has a high-speed train."

With rising ridership, economic benefits, and technological self-sufficiency, Whoosh marks a major leap forward in Indonesia's journey toward modern, integrated, and efficient transportation. Enditem