JAKARTA -- Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir stated that the government's policy in rapidly developing transportation infrastructure is correct and has the people's trust.

According to Erick Thohir, the existence of the Whoosh Jakarta-Bandung fast train and vice versa has proven to not only be a solution to the Jakarta-Bandung congestion, but also to grow a new economy. Erick Thohir argued that since it was launched two months ago, Whoosh has carried one million passengers.

"If someone says Whoosh is not effective, now look, people believe more. In two months, there have been more than one million passengers. Not only is it a solution to traffic jams, but it also encourages new economic activity, especially at Tegalluar and Padalarang Stations in Bandung, which are new points passenger stops," said Erick Thohir in Jakarta, Thursday (28/12/2023).

Since it first operated commercially on October 17 2023, the enthusiasm of Whoosh users has immediately skyrocketed. In its official statement, PT KCIC said that the Whoosh Fast Train had served 1,028,216 passengers until December 25 2023 or within two months of operation.

The highest number of passengers served in one day on the 30-minute Jakarta-Bandung (PP) trip has reached up to 21,500 passengers per day. This includes the end of year holidays which are currently taking place.

This success, said Erick Thohir, who is also Chair of the Sharia Economic Community (MES), is in line with President Joko Widodo's desire to encourage a triangle in connectivity, namely airports, ports connected to toll roads and the Subang industrial area.

Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi also appreciated the number of passengers on the Whoosh Fast Train which has reached one million people since it was commercially operated on October 17 2023.

The Whoosh Fast Train is the first fast train service in Indonesia and Southeast Asia with the Jakarta-Bandung route and serves four stations, namely Halim, Karawang, Padalarang and Tegalluar.

The Minister of Transportation said that the presence of fast trains not only fulfills transportation needs, but also provides other multiplier effects. According to the Minister of Transportation, Whoosh grows new economic points, opens up job opportunities and transfers technology which can improve the quality of national human resources (HR).

KCIC President Director Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi said this achievement shows the high demand of the public for modern and reliable public transportation in Indonesia with efficient travel time and comfort.

KCIC is committed to continuing to improve the Whoosh passenger experience, both at the station and throughout the journey. Various passenger input always becomes an evaluation for KCIC to make continuous improvements to the Whoosh Fast Train service.