Bandung, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s Whoosh high-speed train service, which recently commenced operations between Jakarta and Bandung, resumed normal scheduling at 2:30 p.m. local time following a temporary suspension. Earlier, a piece of metal roofing from a nearby residence obstructed the tracks after being dislodged by strong winds, disrupting services.
The incident took place near Cimahi in West Java, an area that faced severe weather, including heavy rain and tornado-like winds, that lifted the roofing and blew it onto the tracks. Local residents reported the extreme weather conditions to officers of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), who immediately initiated safety measures on-site to clear the tracks.
“After the debris was removed, our team conducted a thorough inspection of the tracks, overhead power lines, and other Whoosh infrastructure to ensure safe travel conditions,” said KCIC’s Corporate Secretary, Eva Chairunisa, on Saturday, November 9, 2024. She added that the disruption impacted seven trains from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., but operations have since returned to normal.
Despite the resumption, delays are still expected for some trains as they work to adjust the schedule back to regular timing. PT KCIC extended apologies to passengers for the inconvenience and reaffirmed its commitment to safety and comfort. “KCIC apologizes for any disruption experienced and remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and reliability of Whoosh services,” said Eva.
Efforts to restore full schedule stability continue as Whoosh manages the operational impact of the delay. This high-speed rail, one of Indonesia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, aims to reduce travel time between Jakarta and Bandung to around 45 minutes—a major improvement over the previous three-hour drive. Opened in October 2024, the service has quickly become a significant addition to Indonesia’s transportation network, demonstrating the country’s commitment to modernizing its rail infrastructure.
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As Indonesia continues to develop its high-speed rail systems, PT KCIC will be focusing on preventive measures against weather-related disruptions, particularly in areas prone to severe weather. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining infrastructure amid unpredictable climate conditions, a situation that countries with high-speed rail systems must constantly navigate.
With the operational adjustments underway, KCIC remains focused on minimizing disruptions to provide a seamless experience for Whoosh passengers in the future.
(Becky)
