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Start for freeA Grand Welcome to Indonesia's High-Speed Revolution
After much anticipation and a flurry of requests from enthusiastic Indonesians, the time has come to explore Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital. With over 275 million residents spread across more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia ranks as the world's fourth most populous country. The highlight of today's journey is the inaugural ride on the 'Whoosh' 350 km/h high-speed service from Jakarta to Bandung, marking a significant milestone in the nation's transportation landscape.
Navigating to the Departure Point
The journey commences not directly in Jakarta but requires a bit of travel to reach the starting point at Halim, situated in the eastern suburbs of the city. Access is provided via the Bekasi Line to Halim LRT Station, closely connected to the High-speed station and the Airport Rail Link in Central Jakarta. This latest addition to Jakarta's transit system boasts fully automatic, driverless trains, showcasing the city's commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure.
Halim Station impresses with its modern facilities and clear influences from Chinese design and construction methodologies, reflecting the significant role China played in financing and building the project. Despite visiting during the pre-launch 'free trial' stage, the station offered glimpses into the rich history of Indonesian railways and provided basic amenities like food and drink stalls for travelers.
Boarding the High-Speed Marvel
The security process at the station is straightforward, ensuring a hassle-free start to the journey. Once past security, travelers find themselves in a departure area equipped with essential facilities, including a Whoosh merch shop. The high-speed service has proven extremely popular, drawing full capacity crowds eager to experience this groundbreaking mode of transportation.
Thanks to a friend, securing tickets for this sought-after experience was possible, offering a first glimpse at the KCIC CR400AF train. A rebranded version of China's Fuxing CR400AF, this train boasts a design speed of 400 km/h and operates regularly at 350 km/h, making it the fastest train in the world by design.
The VIP Experience and Beyond
The train offers various classes of service, from a cozy 9-seat VIP section in a 2+1 layout to more spacious Business and Premium Economy classes. Every seat across the train is fully reversible, ensuring passengers always face the direction of travel. The VIP and First Class sections provide luxurious leather seats with excellent legroom and adjustable footrests, enhancing the comfort of the journey.
A Swift Journey to Bandung
The route from Jakarta Halim to Bandung Tegalluar is a testament to the efficiency and speed of high-speed rail travel, covering 142 km in just 46 minutes. This significantly cuts down the travel time compared to the legacy route, which takes a minimum of 2 hours and 50 minutes. Ticket prices offer great value, especially for the brand new high-speed experience, with Premium Economy Class being particularly affordable.
Future Prospects and Final Thoughts
The Indonesian government envisions extending the high-speed network to Surabaya, further reducing travel times across Java. This ambitious project could transform domestic travel, encouraging more people to choose rail over air travel for its environmental and economic benefits.
In conclusion, Indonesia's first high-speed railway is an engineering marvel that promises to revolutionize travel in the region. Its success could pave the way for more extensive high-speed rail projects across Indonesia and beyond, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional transportation methods.
Experience the journey and get a closer look at this marvel of modern transportation by watching the full video here.
