Allan is the Project Management and Business Development Director at PT KCIC. He explained that the designed HSR is a modern mass transit that will be the first one of its kind in Southeast Asia. The project was first initiated in 2016 and estimated to finish in 2022. Test runs are planned to be conducted before the train is open to the public in 2023.

The HSR Project aims to connect Jakarta and Bandung which is 142.3 km far from each other. This distance is further compared to Jakarta’s complex MRT routes. To execute the project, Indonesia teamed up with China’s state-owned enterprises to help in investments.

“The train’s speed is calculated to reach 350km/h, carrying approximately 601 passengers for 36-45 minutes,” Allan added.
The train's exterior design is inspired by the Komodo, displaying the nuances of Indonesian heritage. On the other hand, its interior is decorated with batik-patterned seats unique to West Java. The project has progressed 79.9% in completion with the help of TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) technology for construction as well as ensuring settlements and tollways above tunnels are safe and undisrupted. Ticket prices are predicted to range between Rp 250.000 – Rp 300.000.

To assure Indonesia can independently establish its HSR infrastructures in the future, continuous training and assistance between China and Indonesia are conducted. One of such forms of assistance is the handover of the Slab Track Facility from Sinohydro to WIKA Beton by local contractors. It was done on 21 June 2021 during the project’s 51% completion status.

China’s state-owned contractor Sinohydro handed the required facilities, training, and slab track manufacturing technology to WIKA for operation. WIKA itself formed a team specialized in technology transfer from Sinohydro for building the tunnels and box girders. Moreover, the team is directly involved in tunnel #1 and casting yard #1 construction.

Additionally, KCIC relocated several schools and places of worship due to the sensitive high-speed train that may disturb nearby areas. Public facilities can return to their places and be used by the public again when construction is finished. Nonetheless, The Jakarta-Bandung HSR project is hoped to be a starting point for Indonesia’s development of modern transportation.

Reporter: Tarisa Putri (Teknik Kimia 2019)
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Teknik Lingkungan 2019)