JAKARTA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) is delivering significant benefits to Indonesia, according to the country's Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir.
Since its commercial operation in October 2023, the HSR has not only reduced travel time between Jakarta and Bandung, but also saved 3.2 trillion rupiah (around 197.56 million U.S. dollars) in fuel costs annually by utilizing electrical energy, Thohir stated on his social media account on Saturday.
He highlighted the success of the HSR, noting that it has transported 4 million passengers as of early July, reflecting strong public trust and enthusiasm for the Southeast Asia's first high-speed train.
"The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has contributed 86.5 trillion rupiah (around 5.34 billion U.S. dollars) to the regional gross domestic product of Jakarta and West Java from 2019 to 2023," he said.
With a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the HSR connects Halim Station in Jakarta with Tegalluar Station in Bandung, West Java, saving travel time between the two cities from over three hours to approximately 40 minutes.
Thohir shared his experience of taking the high-speed train with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, adding that the HSR is expected to increase tourist numbers and further stimulate economic growth in the region. ■