With Indonesia’s high-speed rail set to launch in September, authorities look to Surabaya for phase two

“We can travel to and fro (between Jakarta and Bandung) in one day. So, (it’s good) if there are any events or urgent travel,” said Jakarta resident Nuriqoh Toriqoh. “I’m very interested to try the train because of the time taken to travel this distance. I think it’s very worth it.”

The train has eight carriages divided into three classes – the VIP class, the business class, and the premium economy class.

It has a capacity of 601 passengers with a majority in the premium economy class.

MULTIPLE DELAYS

The train is operated by PT KCIC, a joint venture of Indonesian state-owned enterprises and a consortium of Chinese railroad companies.

It was supposed to be completed and operational in 2019 but was delayed several times.

The delays resulted in cost overruns of more than US$1 billion, ballooning the project’s price tag by more than US$7 billion.