The high speed railway, capable of reaching a top operational speed of 350 kilometers per hour, is Indonesia’s first and serves as an example of the connection between China’s high-quality development achievements and Indonesia’s high-quality development vision, offering new opportunities for cities and people along its route to expedite their journey towards a better life.
High-Standard Construction Showcases China’s Smart Manufacturing
The Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, with a total length of 142.3 kilometers, is a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative and practical cooperation between China and Indonesia. With Chinese technology and standards adopted along the entire line, the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung, which previously took over three hours, will be reduced to just over 40 minutes following its opening.
The railway was developed with a significant number of China’s independent research and technological achievements based on local Indonesian climate conditions, cultural concepts and operational requirements, directly facilitating the modernization of Indonesia’s railway equipment, said Guo Lei, director of the design department of the High Speed Railway Contractor Consortium.
The train control system is the “brain and central nervous system” of a high speed railway. The Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is equipped with China’s most advanced independent CTCS-3 level train control system.
“Essentially, the train control system is a database system, and a large number of technical personnel from Indonesia and China collaborate on data collection, simulation testing, problem analysis, and timely resolution of issues,” said Hu Bin, chief engineer of the Jakarta-Bandung Project of China Railway Signal & Communication (group) Co., Ltd.
Since the start of the railway’s construction in June 2018, various tasks, from laying roads and tracks to electrification, have encountered unforeseen problems. It was during the process of resolving these challenges that the tremendous vitality of “Chinese smart manufacturing” was demonstrated.
The highly anticipated trains are also characterized by advanced technology, safety intelligence, strong environmental adaptability, comfortable passenger experience and distinct local features.
“The Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway trains incorporate many advanced intelligent technologies,” said Zhang Fangtao, chief designer of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway’s trains at CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., the designing company.
To address the frequent earthquakes in Indonesia, the trains are specially equipped with an earthquake early warning system. To cope with the tropical climate’s impact on the service life of the trains, the technical team conducted two years of on-site outdoor testing, tested over a hundred types of car body materials and coating samples, and customized an anti-corrosion optimization plan. And to address complex terrain conditions along the line, CRRC, in conjunction with Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd., repeatedly conducted matching tests, created more than 10 versions of the train network control software and traction software and successfully developed a high acceleration function.
Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, president director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), the project owner of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, stated that Chinese standards ensure the future safe operation of the railway and represent a fundamental leap forward for Indonesia in upgrading railway design, construction, related technologies, and talent cultivation.
Efficient Connectivity Benefits People’s Livelihoods
Garang Suwandalu, 27, has witnessed the construction process of the 2,900-square-meter Tegalluar Railway Station, which was built from scratch.
Over the past four years, transitioning from a civil engineering major to an engineer at the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway Project of China Railway No.4 Engineering Group Co., Ltd., Suwandalu diligently embraced learning opportunities. He quickly learned about surveying and layouts and became proficient in on-site quality control, successfully handling various technical tasks independently.
“Along the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, there are Indonesian builders everywhere, and many of us, including me, have learned technical skills on the job,” Suwandalu said.
In addition, the project department responsible for tasks such as building bridges and tunnels and laying tracks has prioritized the employment of local villagers and has provided basic skills training to help them quickly grasp work standards and quality requirements.
Hailur Ikmar, a resident of Marongan village in Purwakarta Regency, West Java province, who originally worked as a laborer at a shoe factory elsewhere, joined the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway project in 2019 as a welder after receiving training.
“Many villagers have found jobs at the project site like me, and their incomes have significantly increased. They have purchased new furniture or appliances, and I also bought a motorcycle,” Ikmar said. He plans to open a welding shop after the project’s completion, using the skills he has acquired to make products such as railings and security bars.
According to statistics, during the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway, 45,000 Indonesian employees received training through the establishment of training institutions, Chinese employees mentoring apprentices, on-site practical training, and other means.
The construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway has benefited related industries and Indonesian residents. Ju Guojiang, chairman of China Railway International Co., Ltd., said that over the past few years, Chinese railway builders have been fulfilling their social responsibilities. They have procured and used a significant amount of Indonesian materials such as steel and cement, along with daily commodities. The accumulated procurement amount has exceeded $5.1 billion, providing employment opportunities for more than 51,000 local Indonesians.
The opening of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is undoubtedly good news for residents with a higher demand for efficient transportation. The existing railway between the two cities was built over 100 years ago and has a speed of just over 50 kilometers per hour. Traffic jams are common on the highways between the two cities. Haziirna Malina, who lives in Jakarta and runs a business in Bandung, said she commutes between the two cities every weekend, and the opening of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway will greatly improve her travel experience.
At the age of 49, Malina manages rental apartments near a university in Bandung. “I’m so lucky,” she said. “After the high speed railway opens, it will save me at least two hours traveling from home to the apartment compared to the old train.”
High-Level Co-construction Facilitates Local Development
The island of Java, where the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is located, is the most densely populated in Indonesia. The island is home to approximately half the country’s total population and is the region with the most developed economy and culture in the country.
Starting from Jakarta’s Halim Railway Station, one can reach Karawang Railway Station in just 10 minutes by high speed railway. Karawang county is home to the most famous industrial park in West Java province, with several foreign-funded automobile manufacturing plants, including SAIC GM Wuling AUTOMOBILE (Indonesia) Co., Ltd.
“The factory is about a half-hour drive from the high speed railway station, so it will be more convenient for businesses from various places to come for exchanges and visits,” said Arif Pramadana, deputy general manager of SAIC. He added that after the high speed railway’s opening, it will provide a greener means of travel for residents along the route, aligning with the brand’s initiative to introduce new energy vehicle models to the Indonesian market.
Various forms of cooperation between China and Indonesia in the transportation sector can play a positive and far-reaching role in promoting sustainable development.
“Through the high speed railway, what it brings is not just people but opportunities. The planning and development of new cities around transportation hubs will create new economic activities and jobs,” said Ridwan Kamile, former governor of West Java. Reducing travel time from three hours to just over 40 minutes means that more people will come to live and work in Bandung, which will bring about more economic activity and sustainably benefit the next generation.
Kamile believes that the increased convenience in transportation will attract more tourists and promote the development of tourism and related industries. People who were previously engaged in farming will be able to work in the service industry, improving their standard of living. Therefore, the opening of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway is a significant boon for local residents, as more visitors will come to see the area’s volcanos, waterfalls and cultural relics.
“The high speed railway will also significantly enhance foreign investors’ confidence in West Java, bringing more investment in high-tech industries and manufacturing sectors, which will effectively stimulate economic development,” Kamile stated.