Can Whooshs Success Justify a High-Speed Rail to Surabaya?

TheIndonesia.co - Less than a year after its official launch, Indonesia’s first high-speed rail line—nicknamed Whoosh—has surpassed 6 million passengers. The 142-kilometer route connecting Jakarta and Bandung has not only become a symbol of national pride but is now being positioned as the foundation for a broader transformation in Indonesia’s transport infrastructure.

With daily ridership recently peaking at 25,000 during the 2025 holiday season, the government is doubling down on plans to extend the line all the way to Surabaya. But can strong numbers alone justify one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious and expensive infrastructure expansions?

Ridership That Defied Doubts

Launched in October 2023, Whoosh was initially met with skepticism over costs, delays, and its real-world utility. Yet in under nine months, it has consistently surpassed ridership expectations. Operated by PT KCIC, a joint venture between Indonesian and Chinese firms, the train now runs 62 trips daily, with punctuality rates and passenger satisfaction scoring high.

“People thought it would be a white elephant,” says transportation analyst Djoko Setijowarno. “But the public response shows that if you build it well—and connect the right cities—they will come.”

Travel time from Jakarta to Bandung is just 40 minutes, a massive improvement over the usual 3–4 hours by car or train. The comfort, speed, and frequency have made it popular among commuters, tourists, and business travelers alike.

The Surabaya Vision

Buoyed by success, the Indonesian government has confirmed its intention to extend the line eastward—eventually reaching Surabaya, the country’s second-largest city. The project would stretch over 700 kilometers, connecting Java’s major economic hubs in a corridor home to more than 100 million people.

Officials believe that replicating Whoosh’s success across the Java backbone could reshape mobility, ease congestion on aging roads and railways, and reduce emissions from short-haul flights.

“This is not just about speed—it’s about integration, economic growth, and climate action,” said Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. “The Jakarta–Surabaya corridor can be a model for modern, low-carbon transport.”

But the Costs Are High

The Jakarta–Bandung leg alone cost around US$7.3 billion, and experts estimate that extending it to Surabaya could multiply that cost by four or five times. At current usage levels, it’s expected to take up to 40 years for Whoosh to break even.

Given this, some officials have floated the idea of a medium-speed rail alternative to control costs. Others have warned that without integrating feeder transport systems, new high-speed stations risk becoming underutilized “islands” in the middle of cities.

“The success in Bandung happened because the line connects dense areas with poor road links,” says urban planner Elisa Suteja. “Extending that success requires matching rail development with local transit, land use, and economic planning.”

ESG Considerations in Focus

Expanding the high-speed line will require vast land acquisition—much of it through farmland, urban peripheries, and environmentally sensitive areas. Civil society groups are urging the government to prioritize transparency, uphold Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and conduct rigorous environmental assessments.

There’s also a sustainability question: how much carbon will be saved if the train runs on Java’s mostly coal-based electricity grid? PT KCIC has pledged to invest in cleaner energy as part of future expansions, but concrete details remain scarce.

Momentum with Caution

Public excitement and political backing have created rare momentum in Indonesia’s infrastructure sector. But turning that into a successful Jakarta–Surabaya line will require more than enthusiasm. It will demand transparent financing, public accountability, and a long-term vision that serves both passengers and the planet.

If done right, Indonesia could prove that green transport isn't just for the Global North. If rushed or poorly integrated, it risks becoming an expensive lesson in overreach.

As Whoosh glides through the West Java hills, its next destination is still being drawn on the map. Whether it reaches Surabaya—and how—could shape Indonesia’s transport legacy for decades to come.