The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, marked the first anniversary of its official operation on Thursday, showcasing impressive achievements in both transportation and economic development.
Over the past year, the railway has handled 5.79 million passenger trips, with a peak daily seat occupancy rate of 99.6 percent, according to China Railway International, the company operating the service.
Since its commercial launch on Oct 17 last year, the 142.3-kilometer railway has safely completed 15,826 train trips, covering a distance of more than 2.57 million km.
The railway, which boasts a maximum design speed of 350 km/h, has reduced the travel time between Indonesia’s bustling capital, Jakarta, and the popular tourist destination of Bandung from over three hours to just 46 minutes. This has made it a highly popular commuting option for residents as well as tourists, providing a safe, green and comfortable means of transportation.
To meet the passenger surge, the number of trains in service daily has increased from 14 to as many as 52 during peak periods, with the daily seating capacity growing from 8,400 to more than 31,000. The railway has seen its single-day passenger trip volume peak to 24,132.
The high-speed train service has become a game changer for many Indonesians. Rahmanda, who runs a transportation consultancy in Jakarta, said he could now reach Bandung within an hour. “The punctuality and reliability of the train service ensure that I can meet clients without worrying about traffic delays,” he added.
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