Indonesia inaugurates Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway

Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced on October 2 that it has officially put into operation a high-speed railway line, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, which connects the capital Jakarta to the city of Bandung.
Indonesia inaugurates Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway ảnh 1The total investment for the 142km railway was estimated at 7.3 billion USD (Photo: Barchart)

Hanoi(VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced on October 2 that it has officiallyput into operation a high-speed railway line, the first of its kind inSoutheast Asia, which connects the capital Jakarta to the city of Bandung.

Speakingat the ceremony in Jakarta, Widodo said that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railwaymarks the modernination of this type of public transport, which is efficientand environmentally friendly.

The totalinvestment for the 142km railway was estimated at 7.3 billion USD. With speeds of up to 350kmper hour, the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung is reduced to 45minutes, down from the previous three-hour journey. Both Jakarta and Bandung are densely populated cities in Indonesia

A seniorofficial said that a trial period has been launched since the second week ofSeptember when residents can ride free of charge, adding that it will be extended and ticket sales will begin in mid-October.

Previously, on September29, the Indonesian Ministry of Transport issued an operating license to the companythat builds and operates the railway line./.

VNA

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