JAKARTA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia aims to complete the feasibility study for the extension of the Whoosh high-speed railway route from Jakarta to Surabaya by the end of this year, according to Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation Mohamad Risal Wasal.
"This study will determine which route is better to take, whether through the northern, central, or southern path," Wasal stated on Tuesday.
The preliminary feasibility study for this route is still ongoing and is being conducted by the joint venture PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, having been in commercial operation since October 2023. It has reduced the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from about three hours to just 45 minutes.
The extension project to Surabaya is expected to cut the travel time from 10 hours to just 3.5 hours.
Due to its more efficient operational costs and simplified construction methods based on previous experience, the extended route is expected to offer more economical fares. ■