Betting on the Jakarta-Surabaya Fast Train Project

The Jakarta-Surabaya fast train project plan must leverage and be integrated with urban transportation development.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Passengers take photos in front of the Whoosh fast train at Halim Station, Jakarta, Friday (9/2/2024),

The government has begun reviewing the continuation of the fast train project on the Jakarta-Surabaya route. The follow-up project plan for the fast train, which currently only serves the Jakarta-Bandung route, will cut time and reduce the burden on road transportation, reduce emissions from the aviation sector, and increase intercity connectivity in Indonesia (Kompas, 4 May 2024 ).

The good news raised the public's hope for Indonesia to soon have modern, safe, and comfortable public transportation like in advanced countries in the world. Moreover, the development of mass transportation systems is a necessity as it is one of the important elements in the development of social and economic activities in a country.

In urban areas, the development of more environmentally friendly mass transportation will create a humane and sustainable city to live in, ensuring smooth economic flow.

Starting with Japan's Shikansen in the 1960s and followed by France in the 1980s, electric-powered high-speed trains have been popular due to the reduced travel time they provide. Their presence also holds other significant values, such as encouraging economic growth, creating job opportunities, and bridging distances between regions and communities.

Also read: Learning from the Deadly Fire in Mampang Prapatan

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

The Shinkansen superfast train prepares to depart from Tokyo Station, some time ago.

China is now following suit in vigorously building a high-speed railway network. The high-speed railway tracks in China have stretched over 42,000 kilometers and will reach 70,000 kilometers in 2035.

Indonesia can be proud because the Jakarta-Bandung fast train or Whoosh is the first in Southeast Asia. The construction absorbed a budget of IDR 132 trillion, which was dominated by loans from the China Development Bank.

The budget that adds to Indonesia's debt has sparked criticism. The presence of a high-speed train with a relatively short route, which has been served by various other modes of transportation including toll roads, is considered inefficient in stimulating the growth of the region.

If the integration between high-speed trains and modern urban transportation is not achieved, a large budget will be wasted, leaving behind a tangled web of debt and countless problems.

Despite increasing the debt burden, extending the high-speed train route to Surabaya is believed to dispel doubts about the importance of the high-speed train.

The government and related parties have a new momentum to articulate the benefits of high-speed trains, such as the need to create quality employment opportunities, economic stimulus, as well as better and sustainable connectivity.

An important and inseparable part of realizing connectivity is integrating high-speed rail with the development of urban public transportation. So far, sustainable modern public transportation has not been a priority in many areas.

If the integration between high-speed trains and modern urban transportation fails to materialize, a large budget will be wasted, leaving behind debt and countless problems.

Also read: Homecoming and Urbanization