Mass transportation: High-speed railway goes a step backward
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.
Bisnis Indonesia - Transportasi massal: Mundur setapak kereta kilat
9 August 2023
By: Lorenzo A. Mahardhika & Rio Sandy Pradana
After delaying the limited trial run schedule of Jabodebek LRT, the government has rescheduled the operation of Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (KCJB) to focus on its security and safety.
As predicted, the operation of KCJB in West Java has been delayed to September 2023 from 18 August 2023.
The management of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) as KCJB’s operator stated that the delay was meant to provide more time to the high-speed railway to carry out limited operation from Halim Station in Jakarta to Padalarang Station in West Bandung Regency in West Java.
PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) Corporate Secretary General Manager Eva Chairunisa said that the trial run with passengers would be carried out in early September 2023. However, he stated that he could not ensure the trial run schedule.
“In line with the government’s direction, the high-speed railway’s trial run will commence in September 2023. During the period, people can try the high-speed railway for free,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday (8/8).
During the free trial run period, KCIC’s management will involve various stakeholders, including locals around the KCJB route.
The involvement of locals around the high-speed railway’s route is a form of appreciation from KCIC for the role and the support of locals around the KCJB route in facilitating the high-speed railway’s construction.
Besides that, KCIC will also provide an opportunity for people who want to participate in the free trial run by opening a registration.
“We will soon officially announce the mechanism and the condition for the people who want to participate in the free trial run through PT KCIC’s information channel,” he stated.
Eva continued that the company would prepare all aspects of the high-speed railway excellently and prioritise the safety and the comfort of customers.
In the last few days, the trial run of the facilities and infrastructure was conducted successfully.
As the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia, the operation of KCJB needs a thorough preparation.
Eva said that KCIC was currently ensuring that all supporting facilities could run smoothly.
In parallel, KCIC is also certifying KCJB’s facilities and infrastructure with the Transportation Ministry.
According to him, KCIC is ready to take part by preparing various data and information required to facilitate the certification process.
“KCIC is continuously preparing the operational readiness and the facilities at stations. Regarding the stations, when they start to serve passengers, available access will be ensured to be ready for use,” he said.
The failure of the high-speed railway’s operation that has become an Independence Day gift for Indonesia was caused by the lack of access to stations.
It was highlighted by State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Deputy Minister Kartika Wirjoatmodjo who have been tasked to handle the high-speed railway since 2019.
He reckoned that planning was lacking as there is no access to toll roads nor highways at several stations, such as Karawang and Halim.
“I am frustrated with the people at KAI as they have not thought about access to the stations. So, for Halim and Karawang [Stations], there is no access road to toll roads nor highways. We have only encouraged them recently,” he said at InJourney Talks recently.
However, KCIC is continuing to accelerate the preparation of access from and to stations.
“We are still working on the access and the facilities. Everything is on progress,” Emir said.
He continued that connectivity at all stations would be improved by collaborating with all related stakeholders.
For example, he mentioned that Halim Station would be connected to Jalan DI Panjaitan and a toll road that is currently being completed. Meanwhile, Tegalluar Station will also be connected to toll roads and highways.
Must be fulfilled
Transportation Ministry spokesperson Adita Irawati said that KCJB must ensure that various aspects were met to fulfil the applicable requirements before continuing the limited operational trial run.
Adita explained that some of the aspects were related to the safety and the security of the facilities and infrastructure. Besides that, the Transportation Ministry is also observing the pattern and the form of integration with other modes of transportation.
He added that KCJB must also complete the operational feasibility certification process that must still be carried out.
“We, as the regulator, are focusing on the efforts that must be fulfilled by the stakeholders,” Adita said when she was contacted on Tuesday (8/8).
President Joko Widodo defended the delay of KCJB when he delivered a speech on the 56th anniversary of ASEAN at Nusantara Hall of Asean Secretariat Building in Jakarta on Tuesday (8/8).
The President promises that he will invite the ambassadors of ASEAN countries and other partner countries to try the high-speed railway in September 2023.
“Inside, the ambassadors asked about the high-speed railway. Next month, I will invite them again,” the President said.
The President invited the ambassadors of ASEAN countries and partner countries to enjoy Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) from Bundaran HI Station to Asean Station in South Jakarta.
The President invited the guests to try MRT as a part of the commemoration of the 56th anniversary of ASEAN.
Central Indonesia Transportation Society (MTI) Railway and Intercity Transportation Forum Chairperson Aditya Dwi Laksana reckoned that the operation of KCJB was delayed due to technological issues.
He mentioned that KCJB was the first high-speed railway project in Indonesia.
He reckoned that the use of the new technology was also new in Indonesia. Hence, the KCJB regulator and operator need time to study the project.
According to him, KCJB’s trial run was delayed so that the operator could guarantee the safety principle and the reliability of the train control system.
Specifically for KCJB, Aditya reckoned that delaying the limited trial run would guarantee the availability of intermodal access and connectivity at high-speed railway stations.
