Whoosh High-Speed Train: 5.8 Million Tickets Sold in One Year

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October 18, 2024 | 03:51 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) has announced that 5.8 million tickets have been sold for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, or Whoosh, since its commercial operation on October 17, 2023. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated this public transportation in early October last year.

Eva Chairunisa, General Manager of PT KCIC Corporate Secretary, revealed that passenger numbers continue to rise steadily. “The average daily passenger count has increased by over 100 percent since the train's first operation. Occupancy rates remain consistently high, ranging from 70-80 percent during the low season and 80-100 percent during the high season,” she stated in an official statement on Friday, October 18, 2024.

In 2023, Whoosh served 1.1 million passengers, followed by 4.65 million passengers in 2024. The daily number of passengers has surged from an initial 9,000 per day in October 2023 to a current range of 18,000-22,000 per day this October.

The majority of Whoosh passengers, 5.45 million or 94 percent, travel in Premium Economy class. First Class passengers account for 2 percent (112,000), while Business Class passengers represent 4 percent (233,000) of the total passenger count. Notably, 96 percent of Whoosh passengers are domestic travelers, and 4 percent are international passengers.

According to Eva, KCIC is committed to enhancing accessibility to all Whoosh stations through collaborations with various stakeholders. “[We are working to improve] connectivity and facilitate passenger mobility through integrated transportation options,” Eva explained.

A survey conducted in mid-2024 revealed that 55 percent of Whoosh passengers are private employees, while 19 percent are government employees. Leisure travelers and tourists comprise 44 percent of passengers, and business travelers account for 34 percent.

As outlined on KCIC's official website, the bullet train is designated as one of Indonesia's National Strategic Projects, as noted in Presidential Regulation Number 3 of 2016.

The project's development was made possible through a loan from the China Development Bank, which constitutes 75 percent of the funding. The remaining 25 percent is contributed by shareholders, with PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (PSBI) holding a 60 percent stake and Beijing Yawan HSR Co. Ltd. holding a 40 percent stake.

On October 2, 2023, President Jokowi inaugurated Indonesia's First High-Speed Train and Southeast Asia's First High-Speed Train at Halim Station, Jakarta. He also introduced its new name: Whoosh, symbolizing time-saving, optimal operation, and a great system.

Editor's Choice: Whoosh High-Speed Train Ambition a 'Time Bomb' for Prabowo Subianto's Administration: Senior Economist

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