KAI confirms readiness to expand Whoosh line to East Java

Beijing (ANTARA) – State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia has expressed confidence in extending the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail line, known as Whoosh, to Surabaya and eventually Banyuwangi in East Java, following President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.“There’s no issue with operating the high-speed train, especially as occupancy continues to rise. The President indicated we should expand to Surabaya and even Banyuwangi—we will carry it out,” said KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin in Beijing on Wednesday.President Prabowo previously emphasized that modern transport infrastructure like Whoosh should not be halted midway, citing its social, economic, and environmental benefits. The President pledged full responsibility for the project’s continuation despite public concerns over its financial burden.Rasyidin highlighted Indonesia’s pride in being among the few countries with high-speed rail technology, noting, “Even Eastern Europe and the United States don’t have this kind of transport system.” He added that operationally, KCIC—the consortium behind Whoosh—is profitable, reinforcing KAI’s confidence in managing the service.Meanwhile, Danantara COO Dony Oskaria confirmed ongoing negotiations to restructure the project’s debt, which stemmed from limited initial capital.A joint team from the government and the strategic investment body Danantara will travel to China to discuss loan terms with Chinese authorities and KCIC’s consortium partners.The restructuring will address loan duration, interest rates, and currency denomination.The KCIC project’s total investment stands at approximately US$7.27 billion, with 75 percent financed by China Development Bank at two percent annual interest. This includes a US$1.21 billion cost overrun. The loan principal is around US$2.72 billion, with annual interest payments estimated at US$120–130 million.Despite rising ridership—averaging 20,000–30,000 passengers daily—profit margins remain slim due to high operational and maintenance costs. From January to October 2025, Whoosh saw a 6.3 percent increase in passengers, serving over 5.1 million people, up from 4.8 million in the same period last year. Since its commercial launch in October 2023, Whoosh has transported more than 12.2 million passengers.