The "Whoosh" sound becomes the name of the fast train

The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train is named "Whoosh". The name comes from the sound of a fast train. Each letter in the word Whoosh represents Time Saving, Optimal Operation, Reliable System.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Suara Lesatan ”Whoosh” Jadi Nama Kereta Cepat

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Queue of prospective passengers who will participate in the trial operation of the Indonesia-China High-Speed Train (KCIC) at Halim Station, Jakarta, on Friday (15/9/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The sound of a swoosh has been chosen as the name for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train. The name is expected to increase the love and pride for this fast train that is believed to bring a new civilization and make Indonesia more recognized in the world.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi announced on Thursday (21/9/2023) that Whoosh will be the name for the high-speed train. The name was chosen based on the sound of the train's rapid movement, in accordance with its status as the fastest train in Southeast Asia and representing a high-speed train that provides Time Saving, Optimal Operations, and Reliable Systems.

Dwi Retno (26) giggled upon learning the word "Whoosh" as the name of a high-speed train. According to her, the name is unique and interesting, but lacks local or Indonesian elements.

"Whoosh may be well-known internationally, but for the general public who rarely use public transportation, they will be confused. They might even mistake it for the word 'wind'," said an office worker in the Sudirman-Thamrin area of Jakarta. As a regular user of public transportation, Retno suggests the name Nusantara Express."

Also read: People Enjoy Trial of the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train

Djoko Setijowarno, Vice Chairman for the Strengthening and Development of Regional Transportation Communities in Indonesia, agrees that Whoosh sounds foreign. Instead, there are local terms that might be more relevant to the community.

"The impression is uncertain. It is possible to hold contests through various platforms to ask for input from the public, to create a sense of ownership and ultimately help promote the high-speed train," he said.

The local term referred to has already been adopted by other public transportation. For example, the ratangga train (war train that is synonymous with toughness, strength, and struggle) owned by the MRT, Transjakarta bus service, Trans Pakuan Biskita (Bogor), and others.

"West Java should have a lot of local terms. If we adopt from Central Java, we can use the name 'Sepur Kilat'," he said.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Residents walked on the platform of Halim Station, Jakarta, as they were about to participate in the trial operation of KCIC, on Friday (15/9/2023).

Contest

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi stated that Whoosh was the result of a limited design identity contest evaluated by a judging team led by Triawan Munaf, who has been working since July 2023. Triawan was assisted by a directing team comprising Minister of State Secretariat Pratikno, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, and Budi Karya.

"We need to provide a brand identity or brand identity or branding that reflects the values ​​of the fast train which is Indonesia's achievement and pride," he said at a press conference regarding the design of the fast train brand identity, yesterday.

Competition participated by 10 selected agencies. It then narrowed down to three finalists who will be re-evaluated until one best work is selected. The works of the three finalists, namely Visious Studio, Ou Creative, and Feat agencies, can be seen on the page kcic.co.id/jenamakeretaapicepat/.

Also read: Jakarta-Bandung 30 minutes is no longer a dream

In the press conference, Triawan Munaf, Head of the Indonesian Fast Train Brand Identity Design Competition Panel Team, said that branding is a necessity in every program or product launched by both the government and non-government.

"Now we have a high-speed train that needs to be given a suitable name in order to become more popular and liked by the public. Now we all have a name for the high-speed train, no longer called KCIC or KCJB, but called Whoosh," he said.

Currently, Whoosh is undergoing a limited free trial. Trial tickets for 18-24 September are already sold out. However, the public can still register for the second trial on September 24th for departure schedules from September 25th to 30th. Registration can be done through the website http://ayonaik.kcic.co.id/.

Translation: Corporate Secretary General Manager of PT KCIC, Eva Chairunnisa, stated that more than 15,000 people have participated in the free trial until September 21, 2023. As for the tariff, it has not been officially determined yet. However, according to the plan, the public will be subject to a promotional rate ranging from Rp 250,000 to Rp 350,000.