STORY: Jakarta-Bandung HSR marks 100 days of operation with 1.45 mln passengers transported
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 24, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 25, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:01
LOCATION: Jakarta
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR)
2. STANDUP (English): SUN LEI, Xinhua correspondent in Jakarta
3. SOUNDBITE (Indonesian): SWARJONO, Local passenger
4. various of passengers taking the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): SUN LEI, Xinhua correspondent in Jakarta
"This is the Halim station in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital city. It's been 100 days since the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway started its commercial operation. During this period, the high-speed trains locally known as WHOOSH, have carried 1.45 million passengers. The daily passenger occupancy rate is as high as 99.6 percent. Fully equipped with Chinese technology and system, the railway connects Jakarta and Bandung, cutting the travel time between the two cities from more than 3 hours to some 40 minutes. The railway is a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative. It's also the first of its kind in Indonesia and Southeast Asia."

An official from China Railway International Limited said the train schedules have been adjusted and optimized in accordance with local public holidays and passenger flow conditions to improve the transportation capacity of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR.

The number of daily train trips has been increased from 14 to 40, and 48 on weekends. A total of 3,487 trips were operated within the first 100 days of operation, and the highest number of passengers sent in a single day was 21,537.

SOUNDBITE (Indonesian): SWARJONO, Local passenger
"I've traveled on WHOOSH for more than eight times, both to and from. Very helpful in terms of time, in terms of communication. This greatly reduces business travel costs by saving time on waiting and hotel fees. This means that in the morning, afternoon, or evening, we can return anytime, and we have other costs that we can reduce. 
Especially in Jakarta, it's very busy, very congested. It (the HSR) is amazing."

Meanwhile, the Chinese-built HSR has improved its facilities and services at stations to give passengers a smooth and enjoyable experience. More fast-food restaurants, beverage shops, and convenience stores have become available at Halim, Padalarang, and Tegalluar stations. The train is equipped with barrier-free facilities to precisely meet the needs of different passengers.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Jakarta.
(XHTV)