Jakarta, 2 October 2023 - President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo inaugurated the Jakarta Bandung Whoosh Fast Train, the first fast train in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Officially operating on 2 October 2023, the Whoosh Fast Train can now be experienced by the general public.

Also present at the inauguration were the Ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, the Governor of DKI Jakarta and the Governor of West Java, Chairmen and Leaders of State Higher Institutions, Ambassadors of Friendly Countries, Directors and Commissioners of KCIC, Directors of State-Owned Enterprises, and all other relevant stakeholders.

In addition to inaugurating the operation of the high-speed train, on the same occasion,  President Joko Widodo also inaugurated the logo of the high-speed train name "Whoosh" which is the result of the competition for the identity of the Fast Train brand. The logo and design of the winner of the competition will become the official logo of the fast train and be installed on the body of the fast train.

In his remarks, President Jokowi said that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train is the first high-speed train in Indonesia and Southeast Asia with an average speed of 350 km/hour.

"We call this fast train Whoosh. This is an inspiration from the sound of a high-speed train and Whoosh stands for Time Saving, Optimal Operation, Great System," President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi explained that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks the modernization of mass transportation that is efficient, environmentally friendly, and integrated with other modes of transportation including integrated with TOD (Transit Oriented Development). The Fast Train, MRT, and LRT projects are new for the people of Indonesia, especially in terms of technology, speed, construction, and financing models.

"We should not be afraid to learn, to try something new and in the process, unexpected things, difficulties in the field, problems, and imperfections may arise. Experience is expensive but very valuable, and we should not be afraid because if we are consistent, the mistakes will be less and less, the cost of errors will also decrease, and in the end, production costs, project costs, over time will be lower," President Jokowi continued.

President Jokowi encouraged all parties to embrace constructive criticism and maintain a strong desire for learning and improvement.This is because the experience in building infrastructure, both toll roads, ports, airports, dams, and transportation has provided experience and provisions to produce better things in the future.

"In addition, our willingness to try something new gives us confidence, allows us to learn to the nation's children, and will be very useful for the future, making our human resources more advanced and our nation more independent," he said.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan added that KCJB has many benefits, including to the community around the Whoosh Fast Train line.

"Through the Whoosh Fast Train Project for the Jakarta Bandung relation, we get various benefits for our nation. Starting from the creation of new jobs, especially for local communities, presenting a multiplier effect on other modes of transportation or feeder vehicles, creating economic growth in areas crossed by the fast train line, as well as the transfer of the latest technology, especially in the field of Construction and Modernization of Railway Systems."

In addition, Coordinating Minister Marves added that the achievements in the transportation sector that have been achieved to date can be continued by future generations.

The inauguration of the Whoosh High-Speed Train has been highly anticipated by the public. Since the groundbreaking in 2016, the Whoosh Fast Train has achieved several important milestones until it can now be operated and serve the community.

Facilities and infrastructure tests that have been carried out previously have run smoothly. The Whoosh Fast Train will operate at a speed of 350 km per hour and can travel along the 142,3 km route between Jakarta and Bandung in only about 45 minutes.

SOE Minister, Erick Thohir added that the Whoosh Fast Train is not only a form of improving public transportation services, but also offers comfort, speed, safety, and most importantly freedom from road congestion.

"The Whoosh Fast Train offers efficiency in terms of time and also provides comfort for its users. even though it moves at high speed, there are no disturbing vibrations. The distance between Jakarta and Bandung feels close, so let's switch to using the Whoosh Fast Train which is faster, more precise and certainly traffic-free," said Erick Thohir.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that the Ministry of Transportation has issued an operating permit for public railway facilities for the Jakarta-Bandung relation of the Whoosh Fast Train as stated in the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 114/2023 concerning Operating Permits for Public Railway Facilities of PT Kereta Api Cepat Indonesia-China.

Other support provided related to the operation of the Whoosh fast train is the preparation of further transportation or feeders. "We have prepared this feeder transportation together with related stakeholders so that it can facilitate the community to access fast trains from/to centers of activity and economy," said Minister of Transportation Budi.

At Halim Station, through the availability of DI Panjaitan road access, several modes of transportation will make it easier to reach the station area. Currently, a new Transjakarta route to Halim Station with the relation Cawang - Jalan Mayjen Sutoyo - Jalan D.I Panjaitan - Halim Station with operating hours from 06.00 to 16.00 WIB is available. In addition, there is also a connecting bridge from Halim Fast Train Station to Halim LRT Station as part of intermodal integration.

While at Padalarang Station, the Whoosh Fast Train has also been integrated with a Feeder Train connecting Padalarang Whoosh Fast Train Station with Bandung Station. The timing of passenger transfers has also been adjusted between the Whoosh Fast Train schedule and the Feeder Train.

As for Tegalluar Station, intermodal integration is also realized through the presence of Damri Buses and Summarecon shuttle buses which can be used as a further mode to and from Tegalluar Station. Ease of access to Tegalluar Station is accommodated by the existence of the Cibiru Bridge which has been completed and operated for vehicles to pass. KCIC also collaborates with Jasa Marga to facilitate the community to get to the station by opening toll gates at KM 149 which have been operating and the program to open toll gates at KM 151 which are currently still under construction.

Before it was inaugurated, the Whoosh Fast Train trial by carrying passengers had also been carried out from 15-30 September 2023. During this trial period, 49 thousand passengers have experienced traveling with the Whoosh Fast Train.

The public trial with passengers went smoothly and was conducive. The presence of Whoosh received a good response from the public who got the opportunity to try the first Fast Train in Southeast Asia. This very high public enthusiasm can be seen from the ticket booking during the trial period which was immediately booked and filled the seat quota provided during the trial period in a short time.

Under the government's direction during the operational trial period yesterday, KCIC provided an opportunity for residents living around the Fast Train route to experience this modern Whoosh mode of transportation. This is a form of appreciation for the people around the route who have always provided support during the development project so that the construction work runs smoothly.

After the operational inauguration, in the initial stage, KCIC will present a free ticket promo program called Whoosh Experience Program until mid-October. In this program, the public is invited to get to know the Whoosh fast train better by following the travel process through the use of physical tickets when entering the departure gate. Tickets can be obtained through the website ayonaik.kcic.co.id. The public can choose the schedule and travel route as needed and fill in personal data according to the identity card.

Through the Whoosh Experience Program, it is hoped that the existing intermodal integration at several Whoosh Fast Train Stations such as Halim Station, Padalarang Station and Tegalluar Station can be more socialized and become the community's choice.

KCIC hopes that the public can use Whoosh as a mainstay mode of transportation for daily activities to facilitate and facilitate mobility, especially in the Jakarta - Bandung area.