Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inauguration of the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train (KCJB) ‘Whoosh’, October 2, 2023
Journalist
Good afternoon, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Good afternoon.
Journalist
How did it feel, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I’ve ridden it three times. It feels the same, fast, comfortable, that’s it. And, it took 29 minutes from Halim Station to Padalarang Station. It took equally the same 29 minutes in the reverse direction.
Journalist
It’s been a long time, Sir. What about the fare, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We will decide on the fare soon, but it will be between Rp250 and 350 [thousand], more or less. And, we are extending the free trial period, approximately until the middle of this month.
Journalist
With that fare, approximately when will it make a profit, Sir, and what is the profit target? Because the costs have increased considerably, Sir, and there is a guarantee from the state budget.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ask KCIC (Indonesia-China Fast Train) later on. Ask technical matters like that to KCIC.
Journalist
But is there perhaps any target from the Government, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The most important thing is that people are served well, people are served quickly, because that is the function of mass transportation, not profit and loss. Look at the MRT, for example. Everyone should know that the MRT is subsidized by the Government of Jakarta Special Capital Region as much as Rp800 billion, for just one short line, while the line will still be extended. But that is one of the Government’s functions, namely to provide services for the community with mass transportation, so that neither everyone uses private cars nor private vehicles. That is common in all countries. Try to check the management of LRT in other countries, and we see that only we have various schemes. We manage the operation of MRT with Japan, and also its funding and its construction. The LRT is all managed by domestic companies, such as state-owned train manufacturer INKA and state-owned construction company WIKA. The different schemes apply to the fast train. So, the schemes vary accordingly.
Journalist
What about the integration [of the fast train] with other modes of transportation, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That’s what we continue to strive for, namely integrating the fast train with all modes of transportation, such as the LRT, the MRT, Transjakarta (bus rapid transit), airport transportation modes, and KRL (commuter electric train). In addition, like what we saw at the exhibition yesterday, maybe it will also be integrated with application modes.
Journalist
After three rides, is there any further evaluation, Sir, regarding the fast train?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Currently there aren’t any.
Journalist
Sir, what will happen to Argo Parahyangan train, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, it is still in operation, you’ll see. People are offered with many choices, people are offered with many options. They can choose this, they can choose that, this one is good, that one is better. In terms of roads, the same things apply. If you want to take the national road, go ahead. If you want to pass the toll road, go ahead. That’s it.
Journalist
Sir, after this, can people order the train tickets, Sir? Once inaugurated, can it be used commercially by the community?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I’ve said earlier that it’s still free of charge until the middle of this month. After that, it will be decided how much the fare will cost, then the train will be commercially operated.
Journalist
Sir, what about the guarantees from the state budget, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ask Mrs. Minister of Finance.
Journalist
Sir, regarding the fast train from Bandung to Surabaya, how far has it been studied, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The study on the fast train from Bandung to Surabaya will probably be completed by its initiator within these two weeks. Then we will continue with our own studies, further studies. Once the calculations are finished, the decision will be made. The stages have always been like that.
Journalist
Sir, about the recruitment, is it true that it must use Mandarin language, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ask KCIC. But, the language to be used should be Indonesian and English.
(TM/MUR)