Indonesia's first high-speed railway (HSR), the Jakarta-Bandung HSR which connects its capital city Jakarta and West Java's provincial capital Bandung, started commercial operation on Tuesday, according to China State Railway Group (China Railway).

The operation not only marks Indonesia entering the HSR era with a modern transportation system, but also indicates that China and Indonesia have achieved a milestone outcome under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The 142.3-kilometer HSR is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. With a maximum design speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the HSR can cut the journey between the two cities from 3.5 hours to just 46 minutes.

At 4:35 p.m. on Tuesday, train G1137 left Halim Station in Jakarta, marking the official operation of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR, according to China Railway.

The HSR passes through the hinterlands of West Java province and has several stops including Halim, Karawang, Padalarang and Tegalluar.

The railway operator said that in the initial phase of operation, 14 trains will run between Jakarta and Bandung. The frequency will be adjusted based on market demand and traffic flow.

The Jakarta-Bandung HSR is the first overseas HSR project that fully uses Chinese railway systems, technology, and industrial components.

The 11 electric multiple units (EMUs) and one inspection train of the HSR, designed and manufactured by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., rolled off the production line in August 2022, and was transported to Indonesia afterward.

A comprehensive trial operation was completed in Indonesia last November, and in May, the HSR started joint commissioning and testing.

In September, the Indonesian Transportation Ministry issued an operating license to the KCIC, a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms that constructed and run the HSR.

Intelligent, adaptable, comfortable, customized

The HSR project boasts being fast, intelligent, adaptable, comfortable and customized, according to Zhang Fangtao, chief designer of the EMUs at CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd.

While relying on the mature and advanced technology of China's Fuxing bullet train, the EMUs have been modified to the tropical environment and local culture in Indonesia, Zhang added.

Powered by intelligent sensing technology, the EMUs are highly intelligent with more than 2,500 detection points deployed over the whole train, which can carry out real-time monitoring, early warning and diagnosis of all key systems.

An earthquake early warning system automatically receives earthquake information, which helps take countermeasures, such as slowing down and emergency braking.

The train also has strong environmental adaptability by adopting high standard corrosion resistance design and protection technology, which makes it more resistant to salty mist and ultraviolet aging, maintaining the structural safety for a 30-year service life. Its "high acceleration" mode makes the train able to cope with the complex slope terrain in the local area.

The interior of the EMUs is spacious with a larger passenger capacity and multiple service functions. Facing the local hot and humid weather, the air conditioning system adds a dehumidification function, which can automatically adjust the humidity and temperature. 

Passengers can enjoy a good experience with attentive design, such as charging sockets and  barrier-free facilities, and devices like coffee machines and microwave ovens.

Distinctive local characteristics can be seen both inside and outside the train. 

The EMUs' bodies show a streamlined appearance in silver and red with the abstract pattern of the Komodo dragon, an native animal in Indonesia, symbolizing harmonious coexistence between man and nature. The seats are decorated with an auspicious cloud pattern, commonly seen on traditional Indonesian batik cloths.

A 'civilization speed'

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who took a test ride on September 13, told reporters the experience was comfortable sitting or walking inside at top speeds.

"This is civilization speed!" Widodo said. "But most importantly, we want to encourage people to switch from cars to mass transportation to reduce congestion and pollution."

Ridwan Kamil, governor of West Java, told Xinhua that he believes Bandung will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the high-speed rail, as improved transportation conditions will surely attract more tourists and tourism-related businesses, and the shortened commute time will facilitate more people to come to work and live there, creating more employment.

"We are designing a master plan for a new city with more buildings around the high-speed railway stations," Kamil said.

"With new infrastructure facilities being built and more investments coming, at the end of the day, you will see an increase of job opportunities for your children, the young generation of West Java people," said Kamil.