REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train or Whoosh is expected to be a favorite during the 2024 Eid al-Fitr homecoming period.
Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation, M Risal Wasal, projects that additional Whoosh passengers will occur and need to be anticipated. Risal asked PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) to increase the capacity of the Whoosh Feeder Train.
"We have sent letters to Whoosh, KCIC and KAI to increase feeder capacity," said Risal in Jakarta, Thursday (Mar.28, 2024).
He explained that the lack of operational Feeder Train fleet was one of the problems faced by the Whoosh Fast Train. Moreover, Eid al-Fitr 2024 will be the first Eid transportation that Whoosh will serve. "If Whoosh has a capacity of carrying 611 passengers, then whether we like it or not, the feeder train must be two trains, each with a capacity of 300 passengers," Risal added.
Risal said, if the Whoosh Feeder Train fleet is increased, it can provide convenience and comfort to Whoosh passengers. That way, passengers no longer need to fight to get a seat on the Feeder Train.
"So people don't need to rush, to run to catch (the Feeder Train), because there is definitely capacity to sit. No matter how many Whoosh Trains leave, when they arrive, in those 10 minutes people should be able to get on the Feeder Train," Risal said.
Based on the results of a survey of potential train enthusiasts conducted by the Transportation Policy Agency of the Ministry of Transportation, as many as 33.72 million people are interested in using intercity trains during the 2024 Eid homecoming period from D-7 to D+7. The transport capacity of intercity trains and regional urban trains has been increased to 6.04 million through additional train trips.
It's just that there is still a potential of 27.69 million potential enthusiasts who are interested in the rail mode yet to be attracted. That way, people have to use other modes of transportation during the D-7 to D+7 Eid period.
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