Indonesia officially starts South-East Asia’s first high-speed rail operations on Monday (Oct 2)

Indonesian President Joko widodo, center, delivers his speech during the opening ceremony for launching Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway at Halim station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Indonesian President Joko Widodo launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway that will start its commercial operations on Monday, a key project under China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that will cut travel time between two cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes. - AP

JAKARTA: Indonesia has opened Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail to the public on Monday after years of delay and cost overrun.

The train connecting the capital Jakarta to a nearby city of Bandung can ferry up to 600 passengers at a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) an hour.