The success of Indonesia's first high-speed railway Jakarta-Bandung has inspired the authorities to pursue an even more ambitious project. Now, Whoosh trains will be able to reach the eastern metropolis of Java — Surabaya.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono received a special mission from President Prabowo Subianto: to lead the expansion of the country's high-speed rail network.
"The President has given us a special assignment to oversee the continuation of the high-speed railway project. It’s not only about Jakarta-Bandung, but we also hope to include Surabaya," announced the minister at an interagency meeting in Jakarta.
Extending Whoosh to Surabaya promises to dramatically change the transport map of Java. Traveling across the entire island, which currently takes a whole day, could be reduced to just a few hours.
"Thanks to the high-speed railway system, everything becomes much faster, including the development of new transport hubs," explains the minister. According to him, the main goal is to enhance the mobility of the inhabitants of Indonesia's most densely populated island.
This project will require serious preparation and thorough feasibility studies, as it is a costly venture. The ministry is already searching for reliable and sustainable funding sources for this megaproject.
If the project is implemented, Java will gain a modern transportation artery connecting the island’s major cities with high-speed trains — from the capital Jakarta to the industrial city of Surabaya.
On Java, about 60% of the population lives along the coast. Therefore, the government is developing not only roads and railways but also aviation and maritime transport to create a unified and convenient transport system for everyone.
"The future of Indonesia as the world's largest archipelago largely depends on how well we integrate our land and maritime transport systems," noted the minister.
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