National Strategic Project: Transportation Ministry needs time for high-speed railway certification
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 - Proyek Strategis Nasional: Kemenhub butuh waktu sertifikasi kereta cepat
15 June 2023
By: Lorenzo A. Mahardhika
Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry needs to certify the feasibility of the facilities and infrastructure of Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway before it operates commercially.
Spokesperson for the Transportation Ministry and Special Staff to the Transportation Minister for Human Capital Development and Public Relations Adita Irawati stated that delaying the commercial operation date (COD) to October 2023 from 18 August 2023 needed to be determined.
“If we target the COD on 18 August 2023, the time is too short to test the feasibility of the facilities, infrastructure, and human resources,” she said to Bisnis on Wednesday (14/6).
She explained that delaying the COD would positively impact the Transportation Ministry as the regulator of the railways sector.
Adita said that the increase in testing time could be utilised by the Transportation Ministry to hold thorough testing until the COD.
She affirmed that thorough testing as well as certification of facilities and infrastructure were required to guarantee the security and the safety of the high-speed train.
The high-speed train that is currently used for the commission test is a work train, not the fleet that will be operated regularly. “I see that it has to be delayed,” she said.
PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), the operator of Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (KCJB), finally delayed the commercial operation schedule to October 2023.
KCIC Corporate Communications Emir Monti said that the commercial operation date was delayed from the previous target in August 2023.
On 18 August 2023, Emir said that KCJB would be introduced to the people.
He said that the introductory period would be implemented until September 2023.
During the period, KCJB will not operate commercially. “So, it will operate from August to September. Then, the operation will continue in October normally in accordance with the applicable terms,” he said at Halim KCIC Station in Jakarta on Wednesday (14/6).
Emir said that the commercial operation of KCIC would be carried out after the operator has obtained the operation permit certificate issued by the Transportation Ministry.
He said that his company was still coordinating with the Transportation Ministry to obtain the certificate. Emir affirmed that the effort to obtain the certificate has been carried out in parallel with the ongoing testing and commissioning.
Later, KCJB’s introductory operation in August 2023 will be carried out from Halim Station in Jakarta to Padalarang Station in West Java.
The high-speed train trip is planned to take 30 minutes from Halim to Padalarang.
Overall, the construction progress of KCJB has reached 92%.
He said that KCJB’s speed test has reached 220 kilometres per hour from the target to reach 385 kilometres per hour in July 2023.
Emir is also targeting Halim Station construction to be completed in July 2023. The construction of Halim Station has currently reached 92%.
He explained that the construction of Halim Station included the installation of the steel roof, the canopy, and other aspects on the second floor and the third floor.
Besides that, the glass installation process at the station will also be carried out in parallel. “We see that Halim Station will be completed at the end of July,” Emir said.
He explained that Halim Station would be fitted with 13 escalators and 8 elevators.
On the ground floor, there will be a parking area, a drop-off area, and an entrance for passengers. Ticketing facilities such as ticket counters and ticket vending machines will also be on this floor.
Meanwhile, the second floor of Halim Station will function as a waiting room for passengers.
On the second floor, passengers of the high-speed train can change their mode of transportation to Jabodebek LRT or vice versa by crossing the skybridge that has been constructed.
The construction of Karawang Station and Tegalluar Station has reached 93%. Moreover, the construction of Padalarang Station has reached 63%. Emir said that KCIC would continue to boost the construction of the stations approaching the introductory operation period in August 2023.
KCIC Property and Non-Farebox Business Development General Manager Devin Pranata added that facilities on the third floor of Halim Station included three platforms and six train lines.
The facilities on the floor will be used for high-speed train arrivals and departures.
He continued that Halim Station will also be fitted with a commercial area that is filled with various national and international products. Later, KCIC will also provide a special location for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“The number of tenants that we will provide at the station will reach 50 tenants. Currently, there are 70 tenants that have registered,” he said.
Ticket price
Devin added that the high-speed train’s tariff was currently being discussed with a consultant from Polar UI.
Later, KCJB’s tariff will consider the people’s capability and willingness to pay.
Devin explained that the high-speed train’s tariff would be divided into three classes, namely premium economy, business, and first class.
Besides based on the class, he added that the tariff would also be based on the travel distance.
He said that KCJB’s tariff would not burden the people who want to use the mode of transportation. The ticket price will be competitive with other modes of transportation, such as Argo Parahyangan Train.
“The price will be slightly different [from Argo Parahyangan]. So, it will not burden passengers,” Devin said.
He continued the tickets could be purchased through various channels, such as KAI Access, Livin’ Mandiri, BRImo, and online travel agents (OTAs).
Meanwhile, Indonesia Transportation Society (MTI) Railway and Intercity Transportation Forum Chairperson Aditya Dwi Laksana said that delaying KCJB’s commercial operation target to October 2023 was appropriate.
According to him, that step will provide more time to KCIC as the operator to conduct more optimum tests on the facilities, infrastructure, and human resources.
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