FOCUS | Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway officially in operation

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (front) presses a button signifying the official operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) during a ceremony at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo declared the official operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) at Halim Station in Jakarta Monday morning.

The Indonesian Transportation Ministry issued an operating license Friday to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR.

At the ceremony, Widodo announced the name of the HSR, "Whoosh," inspired by the sound of the train, saying that the high-speed train marks the modernization of Indonesia's transportation mode, which is efficient, environment friendly and integrated with other public transportation tools.

"I declare that 'Whoosh' is ready to be operated," Widodo said.

High-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway stop at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway stops at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway stops at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

High-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway are seen at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is seen at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

A crew member of a high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway greets passengers and guests at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

This photo taken on Oct. 2, 2023 shows an interior view of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

Crew members of a high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway greet passengers and guests at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

Crew members pose for photos with a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

Passengers pose for photos aboard a high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train running on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A train attendant walks in a high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train running on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A train crew member walks in a high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train running on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)