Luhut: President to inaugurate Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway on 18 August
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Luhut: Presiden resmikan KCJB pada 18 Agustus
1 April 2023
Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (KCJB) would be inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on 18 August 2023. KCJB’s inauguration will be a birthday present for the 78th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.
“We need to focus so that the COD (commercial operation date) can be achieved on 17 August. The COD will be our birthday present on 17 August. We need to show that, as a large nation, we cannot be wronged by others,” Luhut said at the inauguration of KCJB’s track laying completion at Halim Station on Friday (31/3/2023).
Luhut explained that KCJB’s COD target was determined as it was close to Indonesia’s independence day anniversary. According to him, all of the static and dynamic testing processes as well as the testing will be carried out on schedule in May 2023, and it will be inaugurated by President Jokowi on 18 August this year.
“We hope that on 18 August [2023], the President will inaugurate it,” Luhut emphasised again.
He also affirmed that the operation plan was not delayed from the previous target.
“It was not delayed, it was always planned to be a present for the 78th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, Luhut explained that all of KCJB’s tracks have been installed. The tracks span 304 kilometres, which include double-track railways that span 142.3 km, tracks at the four KCJB stations, and Tegalluar Depot in Bandung Regency.
“From what I received today, our progress has reached 89.19%. Maybe even 90% on average. We will be able to complete it even though the construction has only commenced in 2018,” he said.
He does not deny that there are many issues in the construction of KCJB. However, thanks to the excellent cooperation between Indonesia and China, the project’s progress has almost reached 90%.
“I hope that the track laying completion can be a crucial milestone for the whole project as it is also a sign of the project’s readiness to enter the integrated testing period,” Luhut continued.
12 months
During the occasion, Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) President Director Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi said that the track laying process took 12 months from 20 April 2022. The work was carried out using a track-laying machine, which was a first in Indonesia.
“The machine could install tracks by 5 km per day, which is fast compared to manual track laying,” he said.
The tracks installed are special tracks for high-speed trains, which are R60 railway tracks spanning 500 metres that are connected using the flash butt welding method.
“With the method, connections between the railway tracks will be smooth so that KCJB’s trips will be increasingly comfortable due to little vibrations,” Dwiyana said.
He mentioned that KCJB’s construction progress has reached 86%, verified by consultants. Currently, the stations’ construction that mostly have surpassed 90% will be continuously accelerated approaching KCJB’s operation.
Then, fine adjustments will be carried out to make sure that the electric current has been installed. On 1 May 2023, a commissioning test is planned to be carried out, while, in parallel, the Transportation Ministry will propose for an operational worthiness certificate.
“We continue to prepare KCJB to make sure that all passengers will feel secure and comfortable. I ask for everybody to pray so that the preparation approaching KCJB’s operation can be carried out smoothly,” Dwiyana stated.
KCJB and LRT integration
After attending the inauguration of KCJB’s track laying completion at Halim KCJB Station in East Jakarta, Luhut tried Jabodebek LRT to Dukuh Atas Station. He continued that KCJB would be integrated with various transportation systems in Greater Jakarta, such as LRT, TransJakarta, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and others.
“We looked at Halim Station where KCJB passengers can transit to use LRT to go to Dukuh Atas [Station]. At Dukuh Atas, they can transit from the LRT to TransJakarta buses,” Luhut said at Dukuh Atas Station.
“So, that is the ecosystem that the President wants. We hope that it will be inaugurated by the President on 18 August,” Luhut said.
With KCJB and Jabodebek LRT, the transportation ecosystem that is expected by the President can be realised. Later, KCJB passengers can directly go to Dukuh Atas or Bekasi using Jabodebek LRT through the integrated station.
“With integration, the cost will be more affordable, travel will be quicker, and everything will be more efficient,” Luhut said.
Meanwhile, Acting Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono said that intermodal transportation was built so that they could be integrated with each other. Hence, he said that his agency would collaborate with various parties to improve accessibility, connectivity, and intermodal integration at Halim Perdanakusuma Station in East Jakarta.
Jabodebek LRT is currently testing its transportation equipment to enter the integrated testing period.
“Both national strategic projects [KCJB and Jabodebek LRT] will be inaugurated on 18 August 2023 by President Joko Widodo,” Heru said.
KCJB will provide many schedules, and the distance between Jakarta-Bandung will only take 36 to 44 minutes. KCJB has three travel classes, but its room design is wider and modern.
The total capacity of KCJB reaches 601 passengers with special spaces for people with disabilities. The KCJB station at Halim accommodates an integrated public transportation system as it directly connects Jabodebek LRT, TransJakarta (BRT/non-BRT), and shuttles via the highway to DI Panjaitan Central Business District (CBD) and via Cikampek toll road to facilitate travellers who are transit oriented.
The KCJB station and the Jabodebek LRT station are connected by a multipurpose skybridge that is comfortable as it is air conditioned and fitted with retail stores to fulfil the needs of passengers.
Railways Director General of the Transportation Ministry Risal Wasal said that the high-speed railway would be open for public on 18 August 2023. However, he has yet to confirm the price of the high-speed railway’s ticket.
“The high-speed railway is more expensive than the LRT. Is one ticket enough [as they are integrated]? We are still studying it,” Risal said.
