In 2023, Indonesia started Southeast Asia's first-ever high-speed rail line that connects two of its biggest cities, Jakarta and Bandung. The $7.3 billion project, largely funded and built by Chinese firms, opened to the public on October 2nd. The builders planned (complete) the project in 2019 but they had to face many operational difficulties and delayed.
Videos taken board and shared on social media showed off the large air-conditioned cabin inside and clear window views of the Indonesian countryside as the train (speed) off. The 142-kilometer high-speed rail line, officially named WHOOSH, stands for "time saving, optimal (优化) operation, reliable system" in Indonesian, runs on electricity with no direct carbon emissions and travels at a speed of (rough) 350 kilometers per hour, (cut) travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from three hours to under (little) than an hour.
The trains, modified for Indonesia's tropical climate, are equipped with a safety system that can respond to earthquakes, floods and other emergency (condition). The train has eight cars, all equipped with Wi-Fi and USB charging points, and (seat) 601 passengers.
The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway will not only improve Indonesian infrastructure (基础设施) promote the development of Indonesia's railroad and manufacturing industries.
