The growing popularity of the Whoosh high-speed train continues to reshape Indonesia’s transportation landscape. Since it began commercial operations on October 17, 2023, Whoosh has seen a rapid surge in passenger numbers. To date, the train has transported 7.8 million passengers, with a record high on January 27, 2025, when 24,350 people used the service in a single day. This marks a staggering 500% increase compared to last year, nearly six times the previous total.
According to Eva Chairunisa, General Manager Corporate Secretary of KCIC, Whoosh now serves an average of 16,000 to 18,000 passengers daily on weekdays. On weekends, demand rises further, with daily passenger numbers reaching between 18,000 and 21,000.
“Observing this continued growth trend, KCIC has increased the number of Whoosh trips to meet the rising demand for fast and efficient transportation,” Eva stated.
To accommodate the growing ridership, KCIC has expanded the Whoosh schedule. Starting February 1, 2025, the train will operate 62 trips per day, up from the previous 48. With departures now available every 30 minutes, Whoosh offers greater flexibility, making it an even more convenient option for daily commuters.
Jakarta–Bandung routes are now available every 30 minutes, while Jakarta/Bandung–Karawang services run once an hour. Whoosh has become a preferred choice for commuters looking to avoid congestion and reduce travel time between these key cities.
“With the increasing number of regular passengers, we continue to enhance our service. The additional trips and 30-minute departure intervals make Whoosh a true high-speed commuter rail service that meets the needs of those with high mobility,” Eva added.
While Whoosh is experiencing rapid growth, the number of commuter train passengers in Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) has shown a contrasting trend. In 2024, the total number of train passengers in Indonesia reached 504.6 million, a significant rise from 371.5 million in 2023 and 277.1 million in 2022.
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However, the proportion of passengers using Jabodetabek and intercity Java train services has been decreasing. In 2024, these services accounted for 82.79% of total train passengers, down from 98.19% in 2023, 98.3% in 2022, and 98.5% in 2021.
Despite this percentage decline, the total number of passengers using Indonesia’s rail network continues to grow. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) has also introduced a new data breakdown, now tracking passengers on Airport Rail Link, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and the high-speed Whoosh train separately.
Last year, the Airport Rail Link carried 7.97 million passengers, MRT Jakarta recorded 39.91 million users, and LRT served 26.62 million passengers. Meanwhile, Whoosh high-speed train transported 6.056 million passengers throughout 2024.
It is worth noting that Whoosh’s commercial operations only began in October 2023. In its first two months, it had already served 1.1 million passengers. Compared to that initial period, the train’s ridership has skyrocketed by 500%, underscoring its growing role as a vital mode of transport in Indonesia.
