GPS News
FAST TRACK
Indonesia to launch China-funded high-speed rail, first in S.E. Asia
Indonesia to launch China-funded high-speed rail, first in S.E. Asia
by AFP Staff Writers
Jakarta (AFP) Oct 1, 2023

Indonesia is set to launch Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway on Monday, a delayed multibillion-dollar project backed by China that will cut travel between capital Jakarta and another major city by hours.

The Chinese-made bullet train named "Whoosh" is built to take more than 600 people to and from Jakarta and the Javan city of Bandung in 45 minutes and is part of China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

President Joko Widodo has lauded the project for the fast ride it will provide between the two cities on Indonesia's most populous island Java, and he will inaugurate it on Monday, according to local media reports, citing officials.

"We will launch it on October 2, because on October 1, the president is busy," Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi told reporters on Friday.

The train can reach speeds up to 350 kilometres per hour (220 miles per hour) and has cost a joint Chinese-Indonesian venture more than $7 billion to build.

It was built by PT KCIC, which is made up of four Indonesian state companies and Beijing's China Railway International Co.

It was set to cost less than $5 billion and be built by 2019 but delays due to construction issues and the Covid-19 pandemic saw costs spike.

Authorities have been running public trials of the new high-speed journey of 142 kilometres (90 miles) before its opening.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang rode the train with senior Indonesian minister Luhut Pandjaitan last month on his visit to Jakarta for a series of summits with Southeast Asian leaders.

Pandjaitan told reporters on Thursday that Widodo plans to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in the future to ride the train, without providing further details.

Related Links
Great Train Journey's of the 21st Century

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FAST TRACK
Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains
Vienna (AFP) Sept 30, 2023
Austrian rail operator OeBB on Saturday unveiled its new generation of sleeper trains - a response to demands from travellers for less pollutant alternatives to planes and petrol or diesel cars. Night trains are starting to make a comeback in Europe thanks to their low-carbon footprint and after years of neglect, operators are now investing heavily to replace their ageing rolling stock. State-owned OeBB, which operates 20 rail routes across Europe, has been a pioneer in reviving such services. ... read more

FAST TRACK
Syrian beekeepers battle both war and climate change

As temperatures rise, Sicily turns to exotic fruits

Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of world grain production: study

Using satellite data to enhance global food security

FAST TRACK
AI chip crunch: startups vie for Nvidia's vital component

Atomic layer deposition route to scalable, electronic-grade van der Waals Te thin films

New qubit circuit enables quantum operations with higher accuracy

System combines light and electrons to unlock faster, greener computing

FAST TRACK
Airbus wins Cathay Pacific order for 32 more A320neo jets

Government and industry collaboration leads to first air taxi delivery

Long-haul flights - small changes with a big climate impact

Austrian Airlines green flight claims misled: court

FAST TRACK
VinFast boss insists share volatility 'normal'

Swiss-led team drives electric vans from Geneva to Doha

UK government to push back on 'anti-car measures'

EU countries vote to weaken next car emissions norm

FAST TRACK
China's gateway to North Korea waits in vain for border opening

Italy court condemns Uber Eats over 4,000 layoffs

Former crypto star Sam Bankman-Fried faces US trial

Markets end tough month with gains after Wall St rally

FAST TRACK
Tree-hugging AI to the rescue of Brazilian Amazon

How to tackle the global deforestation crisis

Brazil Senate approves bill restricting Indigenous land rights

Petition against felling trees in historic Tokyo park area

FAST TRACK
Big Earth Data can support sustainable development goals

Trio of Sentinel satellites map methane super-emitters

Japanese scientists find microplastics are present in clouds

First long-duration Lidar satellite mission CALIPSO Ends

FAST TRACK
World Nano Foundation highlights nanotech's role in space materials science

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.