The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train named 'Whoosh' is seen during the inauguration at Halim station in Jakarta on Oct 2, 2023. - AFP
JAKARTA: The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail operator PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) has recorded over a million passengers after more than two months of operation. KCIC president director Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi said the number of passengers reflected the public's desire for efficient public transportation.
"Reaching one million passengers in just two months is evidence of the high demand for modern and dependable public transportation in Indonesia," Dwiyana said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 26) as quoted by Antara News.
Dwiyana said there had been a positive response toward Whoosh, citing that the average occupancy rate of passengers had consistently reached 90 per cent of the total available seats for each train.
The highest number of passengers served in a single day on Whoosh was 21,500 passengers, including during the current year-end holiday. On Nov 12, the number of passengers was 21,312 passengers.
“The KCIC will continue to deliver a top-notch service to ensure that Whoosh remains the preferred choice for individuals traveling between Jakarta and Bandung," he said.
According to Dwiyana, passenger surveys indicated that 48 per cent of Whoosh users were private car users.
Dwiyana suggested that the introduction of Whoosh had supported the government's initiative to transition people from private transportation to a safer and more environmentally friendly public transportation system.
Dwiyana also highlighted the smooth operation of the Whoosh, highlighting that there had been zero accidents since it first operated.
“the KCIC is thankful to all Whoosh passengers, and this serves as motivation for us to continue providing the best service to the community," he said.
Furthermore, Dwiyana disclosed that the KCIC is currently expanding the number of trips from 40 to up to 48 trips per day to accommodate the expected increase in demand during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
"These additional trains are to meet the needs of passengers in anticipation of a surge during the Christmas-New Year period. The KCIC is prepared for the growing number of passengers wanting to go on vacation," he added. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
