Whoosh High-Speed Rail Carries 2.9 Million Passengers in First Half of 2025
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s Whoosh high-speed rail service transported nearly 2.94 million passengers in the first half of 2025, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, according to operator PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), a subsidiary of state-owned PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero).
The company attributed the uptick in passenger numbers to increased travel during national holidays, including Eid al-Fitr, the school holiday period, and the Islamic New Year. Daily ridership during peak season averaged between 24,000 and 25,000, with a record 26,770 passengers on Friday, June 27.
“National holidays played a significant role in boosting daily volumes,” said Anne Purba, Vice President of Public Relations at KAI, in a statement released Friday, July 4.
Launched in October 2023, Whoosh is Southeast Asia’s first high-speed train, reaching speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. Since its inauguration, the service has transported over 10 million passengers.
Clean Transport, Lower Emissions
A study by the Polar Research Center at the University of Indonesia found that Whoosh emits only 6.9 grams of carbon dioxide per passenger-kilometer—54% less than private cars, which emit 12.7 grams.
In addition to cutting carbon emissions, the train service is also expected to reduce economic losses from traffic accidents by an estimated Rp 2.91 billion ($177,000) per year, Anne said.
A Symbol of National Progress
KAI regards Whoosh’s growth as a milestone in Indonesia’s transportation transformation, enhancing public connectivity and aligning with sustainable development goals.
“This achievement symbolizes Indonesia’s progress in providing modern, eco-friendly, and internationally competitive transport infrastructure,” Anne said. “It shows that we are capable of making bold leaps to improve mobility and connectivity.”