Prabowo Pushes High-Speed Rail to Surabaya, AHY Promises Regulatory Overhaul
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his administration to extend Indonesia’s high-speed rail line all the way to Surabaya, signaling a bold vision for modernizing transport and boosting regional connectivity across Java.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the expansion would build upon the existing Jakarta-Bandung line and form part of a broader strategy for integrated mobility on the island.
Speaking at the Indonesia Railway Conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, AHY described the directive as “firm and courageous,” emphasizing the project’s transformative potential in cutting travel times and unlocking new economic zones.
“This is not just a continuation of what has been built,” AHY said. “It reflects a grand vision of fast, clean, and integrated mobility across Java.”
Currently, the country’s only high-speed rail—dubbed “Whoosh”—operates between Jakarta and Bandung, carrying nearly 3 million passengers in the first half of 2025.
Regulatory Reform in the Works
To realize the extension to Surabaya, AHY noted that the government is preparing a new regulatory framework tailored to the complexities and pace of large-scale infrastructure projects.
“The Jakarta–Bandung project has taught us that our current regulations need to evolve. We’re crafting a framework that enables swift, precise investment while addressing technical and environmental challenges,” he said.
AHY stressed that investment must be accurately targeted to ensure maximum economic benefit. The new rail corridor is expected to serve as a game changer by connecting cities, industrial hubs, and ports throughout Java—significantly improving logistics, regional development, and carbon efficiency.
“This will reduce travel time, boost efficiency, and drive growth across Java’s economic spine,” he added.
Trains Offer Speed, Efficiency, and Sustainability
Highlighting rail’s broader benefits, AHY also underlined the sector’s strengths in punctuality, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction.
During the 2025 Eid holidays, Indonesia’s rail system achieved 99.69% on-time departures and 97.23% on-time arrivals—performance unmatched by road transport.
“Trains operate without being hampered by congestion. They’re reliable and fast,” said AHY, son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
In terms of energy use, trains are three to four times more efficient than trucks, achieving nearly 200 kilometers per liter of fuel equivalent, compared to just 57 for road freight vehicles. A single freight train can replace up to 300 trucks, while a passenger train can accommodate over 1,000 travelers.
According to the 2024 Asian Transport Outlook, rail transport contributes virtually zero to Indonesia’s CO2 emissions. In contrast, road transport accounts for 89.7%, maritime 5.5%, and aviation 4.8%.
“Railways are Indonesia’s greenest transport mode,” AHY said. “They are central to our net zero emissions goal by 2060.”
To support this transition, AHY called for increased investment in rail electrification and the rehabilitation of 75 critical railway bridges—many of which are more than a century old.
“These bridges are vital to the long-term safety and reliability of the network,” he said.
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