The construction of the Jakarta Bandung High-Speed Train (KCJB) mega project is actually still not over. However, the government plans to extend the route to the capital city of East Java, Surabaya.
Later, if the extension of the high-speed train line is really realized, the distance from Jakarta to Surabaya, which is usually taken 10 hours, can be cut to 4 hours.
This bullet train track is not only stuck in Tegalluar, West Java. But, starting from Jakarta – Karawang – Bandung – Kertajati – Purwokerto – Yogyakarta – Solo – Madiun to Surabaya.
Regarding investors who will manage this new line, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan seems to code that the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed rail project will be worked on by China, just like the Jakarta-Bandung line.
“Yes, we’ll see, if you are comfortable with this (KCIC) why change, right? I don’t want to change wives either,” said Luhut, quoted on Monday (31/10/2022).
In response to this, PT Kereta Api Indonesia-China, as the operator of the KCJB project, seemed reluctant to tell further.
“There is a track development plan, but until now our focus is on the completion of construction and operational preparation at KCJB in 2023,” said GM Corporate Secretary of PT KCIC Rahadian Ratry, quoted Monday (31/10/2022).
It should be noted that the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project is currently under construction, and is targeted to be operational in June 2023. The crossing starts from Halim, Karawang, Padalarang, and Tegalluar along 142.3 km.
The news about the planned construction of the Jakarta – Surabaya High-Speed ​​Rail project was conveyed by the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, during a seminar between the Civil Vocational Body – the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) and the Ministry of Transportation sometime ago.
“Mr. President as a visionary leader laid the foundations of the MRT, we are overseeing it. Next, lay the foundation of the fast train. The plan (in the future) is Jakarta-Surabaya,” Budi said while attending a seminar with the Civil Vocational Agency – Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) and the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), quoted Monday (31/10/2022).
“Jakarta-Surabaya will be taken in less than 4 hours. Our first stage is making Jakarta-Bandung. This must be guarded. The more people who are escorted the better. So later if there are many critics, PII friends will answer, because they know exactly,” he said.