High-speed train to pass through Yogyakarta
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 - KA cepat akan lewati Yogyakarta
6 July 2023
Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry through the Railways Directorate General is programming the extension of Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (KCJB) to Surabaya through Yogyakarta.
“The name will still be Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway, but the train will be programmed to reach Surabaya through Yogyakarta,” Railways Director General Mohamad Risal Wasal said at the hearing with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V in Jakarta on Wednesday (6/7/2023).
Risal also explained that, for the trip to Bandung, KCJB would be integrated at Padalarang Station where feeder trains would be available. Feeder trains will not be provided at the last station of the high-speed railway in Tegalluar as the distance is quite far.
“With the feeder trains, travelling from Padalarang Station to Bandung will take 15 minutes. So, traveling from Jakarta to Bandung will take a total of 39 minutes with the high-speed train,” he stated.
During the meeting, Risal also said that KCJB and Jabodebek LRT would operate this year as Jabodebek LRT would operate on 18 August. Coincidentally with Jabodebek LRT’s operation date, the Transportation Ministry will also hold a trial run for KCJB.
On the other hand, previously, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan was optimistic about the high-speed train reaching Surabaya. Luhut also revealed that the government has established communication with Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang to continue KCJB construction.
“I thought that it was a technological leap as Mr. Lu has spoken with the Transportation Minister. We have asked for it. We will report it to the President. A preliminary study will be conducted from Bandung to Surabaya. With our current experience, we need to cut a lot of costs. Mr. Lu also agreed,” Luhut said recently.
Besides that, Luhut emphasised that the downstreaming principle needed to be implemented in the high-speed railway’s construction so that Indonesia do not need to import and can maximise the use of domestic materials.
“As we have downstreaming, there are many materials that can be produced domestically. So, we can create jobs for MSMEs and other [businesses],” he said.
Currently, he said that there were around 400-600 people from Indonesia training in China to operate and maintain KCJB.
“This is our capital for the next government to continue the programme. This will improve our economy,” Luhut said.
