Some pics from my trip yesterday on the Whoosh
———
I love Whoosh (Jakarta Bandung High Speed Railway) so much that I decided to ride it again this Saturday, but this time I didn't skip work since I don't want to do it again and I wanted to try Whoosh in its entirety. So I went from Halim station in Jakarta to Tegalluar station in Bandung regency. The journey took 46 minutes, 15 minutes longer than stopping at Padalarang station. Tegalluar station is deserted as it is literally in the middle of a rice field in the middle of nowhere, around 95% of passengers disembarked at Padalarang like I did last Monday. On the return trip it was the same, the train from Tegalluar was empty, and most of the passengers embarked at Padalarang.
As usual I selected a Premium Economy seat as VIP and First Classes are too expensive for such a short distance at IDR 600,000 ($38) and IDR 450,000 ($28) respectively. Just like last my trip on Whoosh last Monday, I went to Bandung just to vibing, eat brunch, and watch Five Night's At Freddy's (it's terrible btw, not recommended). Visited a mall near the station using an online motorcycle taxi for 20 minutes. Again, back to Jakarta in the afternoon. Oh and since the Judyverse takes place in the "real" world, except with trivial differences like Doe Wyden is the 45th POTUS and Donald Trumbull is 46th, I can see that Whoosh also exists there. And yes of course I wrote another review of Whoosh which you can read below.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail is a joint venture between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned companies. It was constructed with the help of Chinese financing and technology as part of the Belt and Road Initiative; thank you Comrade Paramount Leader Xi Jinping, very cool!
🇮🇩🤝🇨🇳 Persahabatan Indonesia Tiongkok selamanya
🇮🇩🤝🇨🇳 印尼中友谊万岁
🇮🇩🤝🇨🇳 Long live Indonesia China friendship
The garuda and the dragon should join forces to kick capitalist imperialists away from Asia. For real, if I'm the president of Indonesia (which is impossible since I'm a double minority, non-Muslim and Chinese) I'd push for a much closer relations, perhaps an alliance, with China. Because one thing I learnt from studying international relations, is that when you're not sure whether you can win against a much more powerful, potentially hostile force, it's better to join them rather than be defeated by them.
Anyway, the project has been controversial, with critics local and international questioning its cost and benefits, some accusing it of being a Chinese debt trap. And I guess Japan is still salty about this because the Indonesian government initially approached Japan to construct the high-speed rail, they did the feasibility study and all, during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration I think. Then the Chinese came and offered to do the project but cheaper. Nonetheless, the Indonesian government has defended the project, arguing that it will boost economic growth and connectivity in Indonesia. Below, I'm going to give my perspective on Whoosh as someone who majored in international relations. I understand this kind of stuff, I mean, I literally studied it lol. But sometimes I feel like I'm the only furry who studied political science in an endless ocean full of IT and graphic design furs, anyway.
Whether or not Whoosh high speed rail is a Chinese debt trap is a matter of debate. Some experts believe that the project could put Indonesia at risk of falling into a debt trap, while others argue that the project is financially sound and will benefit the Indonesian economy. There are a few reasons why some experts believe that Whoosh could be a debt trap. Top of all, the project is very expensive, with a total cost of over $7 billion, around 0.5% of Indonesia's GDP in 2022. Indonesia is financing the project primarily through loans from China, which means that Indonesia will be indebted to China for many years to come. Like I opined earlier, these concerns are serious and shouldn't be downplayed.
And the project is expected to generate relatively low revenue. Whoosh is expected to cost more to operate than it will generate in ticket sales, as it has strong competition from buses, regular speed Argo Parahyangan trains, and private cars. A local critic says that Whoosh will only return its investment cost in over 100 years. Whoosh's somewhat unlikely profitability means that the Indonesian government will likely have to subsidize the project, which will put further strain on Indonesia's finances. Since the project is being built by a Chinese consortium, which has raised concerns about transparency and accountability, some experts have argued that the Indonesian government does not have enough oversight over the project, which could lead to corruption and cost overruns.
But there are experts who argue that Whoosh is a sound investment that will benefit the Indonesian economy. They argue that the project will create jobs, boost tourism, and improve transportation links between Jakarta and Bandung. They also argue that Indonesia's debt levels are still sustainable, compared to other countries in ASEAN, which means that Indonesia can afford to repay its loans to China. In the meantime, the Indonesian government has taken some steps to mitigate the risks associated with the project. For example, the government has negotiated a lower interest rate on the loans from China, and it has also extended the repayment period. The government has also committed to providing more oversight of the project.
So my point of view on whether Whoosh is a Chinese debt trap or not, is that it has the potential to be one, there's a fifty-fifty chance. It's up to the Indonesian government to come up with a smart way to repay all of its debts and loans to China. Maybe the government should ask the private sector for help. And the government better not do another "taking a new loan to pay an existing loan." If I were the president, I'd approach Japan to construct the high-speed rail. Japan already has railway experience here by building MRT Jakarta, and I bet that Japan's financing isn't predatory.
The next phase of high-speed rail in Indonesia is not yet clear. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has removed the Jakarta-Surabaya semi-high speed train from the national strategic project (PSN) towards the end of his term in 2024. This suggests that the Jokowi administration, which will end on October 20, 2024, is not currently prioritizing the development of high-speed rail beyond the Jakarta-Bandung line. Jokow says it doesn't matter if Whoosh is profitable or not, because in his opinion, the goal of public transportation is to serve the people and not for profit. However, there is some interest in developing high-speed rail links between other major cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta-Semarang and Jakarta-Yogyakarta. It's possible that the next phase of high-speed rail in Indonesia will focus on developing these smaller projects.
But it's also possible that the Indonesian government will reconsider its decision to remove the Jakarta-Surabaya semi-high speed train from the PSN. This depends on a number of factors, including the success of the Jakarta-Bandung line, the availability of funding, and the policies of President Jokowi's successor. Two of the candidates in the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, defense minister Prabowo Subianto and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, have said that they will continue Jokowi's programs, including infrastructure. While the third candidate, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, has expressed his mission of reducing Indonesia's debt, which could put some of Jokowi's infrastructure projects at risk. Prabowo is currently leading in the polls, followed closely by Ganjar, with Anies in the distant third. My prediction is that Anies will be defeated in the first round, and his supporters will move to Prabowo's camp for the second round election, making him the 8th president of Indonesia. Interestingly, Prabowo's running mate is, controversially, Jokowi's eldest son, and if he wins, it could be, essentially, the third term of Joko Widodo. I won't vote for anyone btw, all are equally bad, and whoever wins, nothing would fundamentally change.
Anyway, if the Indonesian government does decide to develop high-speed rail links beyond the Jakarta-Bandung line, it's obvious that Indonesia will look to international partners for financing and expertise. China is very likely to be a major player in this process, given its experience in building the existing Whoosh high-speed rail line between Jakarta and Bandung. Japan is another potential partner, given its expertise in high-speed rail technology. Did you know that China basically "reverse engineered" (since stealing and copying is a little too harsh) Shinkansen tech to build its first high speed trains? Alas, Japan's involvement is somewhat unlikely given the fact that Japan is currently building a high-speed rail line in India and maybe Japan is traumatized after China "stole" the Jakarta Bandung high-speed rail. It's too early to say definitively what the next phase of high-speed rail in Indonesia will look like. What's clear is that Indonesia has the potential to develop a network of high-speed rail links like Whoosh that would connect its major cities and boost economic development. This is vital in realizing the dream of "Golden Indonesia," Indonesia being a developed country by its centenary in 2045. High-speed rail is perfect for a high density island like Java.
Regarding the rolling stock, Whoosh uses 11 KCIC400AF Red Komodo passenger trainsets and 1 KCIC400AF-CIT comprehensive inspection train; they're derived from China Railway's CR400AF Fuxing. 9 KCIC400AF trainsets are operated on a daily basis, while 2 are on standby as back-up at Tegalluar depot. Every dawn and midnight, the comprehensive inspection train is used to analyze and evaluate the tracks and electricity network, traveling from Tegalluar to Halim. Built by CRRC Qingdao Sifang in Qingdao, China, the KCIC400AF trainsets have been adapted to Indonesia's tropical climate and weather. The KCIC400AF has a stronger air conditioning system but with a less powerful heating system, it also has higher gradeability and additional lightning arresters near the pantographs. It has a maximum top speed of 420 km/h (261 mph), though its operational speed is limited to 350 km/h (217 mph).
Each trainset can carry 601 passengers, 555 in Premium Economy, 28 in First Class, and 18 in VIP Class; it also has wheelchair ramps and areas. KCIC400AF trainset is 8-cars long, and it's capable of double heading to increase the passenger capacity during peak season. The trainsets are equipped with an automatic train protection system that can automatically engage the emergency brake in case of an earthquake. The trainsets have a service life of 30 years.
My favorite part of Whoosh is the fact that it's environmentally friendly. Did you know that planes emit nearly one billion metric tons of CO² emissions every year? Planes are the most unsustainable and environmentally destructive form of transportation. Unlike planes, high-speed trains, like Whoosh, are 100% environmentally friendly, they're powered by electricity and thus have zero direct emissions. When you choose high-speed rail instead of flying, Planet Earth and Mother Nature say thank you for not killing them. High-speed trains are also more equitable to disadvantaged communities such as people of color and people with disabilities, since their tickets are generally much more affordable than plane tickets and they have features like wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets. High-speed rail isn't a racist and ableist transportation system as it's open to all and is inclusive. Countries worldwide should do what the Europeans do, build massive, extensive high-speed rail networks and ban flights whenever possible. Simply put, high-speed rail is much, much better for people and the planet than air travel, it's the transportation of the future and I'm excited about the prospect of the entire island of Java being connected with Whoosh network so domestic flights can be completely banned.
———
I love Whoosh (Jakarta Bandung High Speed Railway) so much that I decided to ride it again this Saturday, but this time I didn't skip work since I don't want to do it again and I wanted to try Whoosh in its entirety. So I went from Halim station in Jakarta to Tegalluar station in Bandung regency. The journey took 46 minutes, 15 minutes longer than stopping at Padalarang station. Tegalluar station is deserted as it is literally in the middle of a rice field in the middle of nowhere, around 95% of passengers disembarked at Padalarang like I did last Monday. On the return trip it was the same, the train from Tegalluar was empty, and most of the passengers embarked at Padalarang.
As usual I selected a Premium Economy seat as VIP and First Classes are too expensive for such a short distance at IDR 600,000 ($38) and IDR 450,000 ($28) respectively. Just like last my trip on Whoosh last Monday, I went to Bandung just to vibing, eat brunch, and watch Five Night's At Freddy's (it's terrible btw, not recommended). Visited a mall near the station using an online motorcycle taxi for 20 minutes. Again, back to Jakarta in the afternoon. Oh and since the Judyverse takes place in the "real" world, except with trivial differences like Doe Wyden is the 45th POTUS and Donald Trumbull is 46th, I can see that Whoosh also exists there. And yes of course I wrote another review of Whoosh which you can read below.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail is a joint venture between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned companies. It was constructed with the help of Chinese financing and technology as part of the Belt and Road Initiative; thank you Comrade Paramount Leader Xi Jinping, very cool!
🇮🇩🤝🇨🇳 Persahabatan Indonesia Tiongkok selamanya
🇮🇩🤝🇨🇳 印尼中友谊万岁
🇮🇩🤝🇨🇳 Long live Indonesia China friendship
The garuda and the dragon should join forces to kick capitalist imperialists away from Asia. For real, if I'm the president of Indonesia (which is impossible since I'm a double minority, non-Muslim and Chinese) I'd push for a much closer relations, perhaps an alliance, with China. Because one thing I learnt from studying international relations, is that when you're not sure whether you can win against a much more powerful, potentially hostile force, it's better to join them rather than be defeated by them.
Anyway, the project has been controversial, with critics local and international questioning its cost and benefits, some accusing it of being a Chinese debt trap. And I guess Japan is still salty about this because the Indonesian government initially approached Japan to construct the high-speed rail, they did the feasibility study and all, during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration I think. Then the Chinese came and offered to do the project but cheaper. Nonetheless, the Indonesian government has defended the project, arguing that it will boost economic growth and connectivity in Indonesia. Below, I'm going to give my perspective on Whoosh as someone who majored in international relations. I understand this kind of stuff, I mean, I literally studied it lol. But sometimes I feel like I'm the only furry who studied political science in an endless ocean full of IT and graphic design furs, anyway.
Whether or not Whoosh high speed rail is a Chinese debt trap is a matter of debate. Some experts believe that the project could put Indonesia at risk of falling into a debt trap, while others argue that the project is financially sound and will benefit the Indonesian economy. There are a few reasons why some experts believe that Whoosh could be a debt trap. Top of all, the project is very expensive, with a total cost of over $7 billion, around 0.5% of Indonesia's GDP in 2022. Indonesia is financing the project primarily through loans from China, which means that Indonesia will be indebted to China for many years to come. Like I opined earlier, these concerns are serious and shouldn't be downplayed.
And the project is expected to generate relatively low revenue. Whoosh is expected to cost more to operate than it will generate in ticket sales, as it has strong competition from buses, regular speed Argo Parahyangan trains, and private cars. A local critic says that Whoosh will only return its investment cost in over 100 years. Whoosh's somewhat unlikely profitability means that the Indonesian government will likely have to subsidize the project, which will put further strain on Indonesia's finances. Since the project is being built by a Chinese consortium, which has raised concerns about transparency and accountability, some experts have argued that the Indonesian government does not have enough oversight over the project, which could lead to corruption and cost overruns.
But there are experts who argue that Whoosh is a sound investment that will benefit the Indonesian economy. They argue that the project will create jobs, boost tourism, and improve transportation links between Jakarta and Bandung. They also argue that Indonesia's debt levels are still sustainable, compared to other countries in ASEAN, which means that Indonesia can afford to repay its loans to China. In the meantime, the Indonesian government has taken some steps to mitigate the risks associated with the project. For example, the government has negotiated a lower interest rate on the loans from China, and it has also extended the repayment period. The government has also committed to providing more oversight of the project.
So my point of view on whether Whoosh is a Chinese debt trap or not, is that it has the potential to be one, there's a fifty-fifty chance. It's up to the Indonesian government to come up with a smart way to repay all of its debts and loans to China. Maybe the government should ask the private sector for help. And the government better not do another "taking a new loan to pay an existing loan." If I were the president, I'd approach Japan to construct the high-speed rail. Japan already has railway experience here by building MRT Jakarta, and I bet that Japan's financing isn't predatory.
The next phase of high-speed rail in Indonesia is not yet clear. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has removed the Jakarta-Surabaya semi-high speed train from the national strategic project (PSN) towards the end of his term in 2024. This suggests that the Jokowi administration, which will end on October 20, 2024, is not currently prioritizing the development of high-speed rail beyond the Jakarta-Bandung line. Jokow says it doesn't matter if Whoosh is profitable or not, because in his opinion, the goal of public transportation is to serve the people and not for profit. However, there is some interest in developing high-speed rail links between other major cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta-Semarang and Jakarta-Yogyakarta. It's possible that the next phase of high-speed rail in Indonesia will focus on developing these smaller projects.
But it's also possible that the Indonesian government will reconsider its decision to remove the Jakarta-Surabaya semi-high speed train from the PSN. This depends on a number of factors, including the success of the Jakarta-Bandung line, the availability of funding, and the policies of President Jokowi's successor. Two of the candidates in the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, defense minister Prabowo Subianto and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, have said that they will continue Jokowi's programs, including infrastructure. While the third candidate, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, has expressed his mission of reducing Indonesia's debt, which could put some of Jokowi's infrastructure projects at risk. Prabowo is currently leading in the polls, followed closely by Ganjar, with Anies in the distant third. My prediction is that Anies will be defeated in the first round, and his supporters will move to Prabowo's camp for the second round election, making him the 8th president of Indonesia. Interestingly, Prabowo's running mate is, controversially, Jokowi's eldest son, and if he wins, it could be, essentially, the third term of Joko Widodo. I won't vote for anyone btw, all are equally bad, and whoever wins, nothing would fundamentally change.
Anyway, if the Indonesian government does decide to develop high-speed rail links beyond the Jakarta-Bandung line, it's obvious that Indonesia will look to international partners for financing and expertise. China is very likely to be a major player in this process, given its experience in building the existing Whoosh high-speed rail line between Jakarta and Bandung. Japan is another potential partner, given its expertise in high-speed rail technology. Did you know that China basically "reverse engineered" (since stealing and copying is a little too harsh) Shinkansen tech to build its first high speed trains? Alas, Japan's involvement is somewhat unlikely given the fact that Japan is currently building a high-speed rail line in India and maybe Japan is traumatized after China "stole" the Jakarta Bandung high-speed rail. It's too early to say definitively what the next phase of high-speed rail in Indonesia will look like. What's clear is that Indonesia has the potential to develop a network of high-speed rail links like Whoosh that would connect its major cities and boost economic development. This is vital in realizing the dream of "Golden Indonesia," Indonesia being a developed country by its centenary in 2045. High-speed rail is perfect for a high density island like Java.
Regarding the rolling stock, Whoosh uses 11 KCIC400AF Red Komodo passenger trainsets and 1 KCIC400AF-CIT comprehensive inspection train; they're derived from China Railway's CR400AF Fuxing. 9 KCIC400AF trainsets are operated on a daily basis, while 2 are on standby as back-up at Tegalluar depot. Every dawn and midnight, the comprehensive inspection train is used to analyze and evaluate the tracks and electricity network, traveling from Tegalluar to Halim. Built by CRRC Qingdao Sifang in Qingdao, China, the KCIC400AF trainsets have been adapted to Indonesia's tropical climate and weather. The KCIC400AF has a stronger air conditioning system but with a less powerful heating system, it also has higher gradeability and additional lightning arresters near the pantographs. It has a maximum top speed of 420 km/h (261 mph), though its operational speed is limited to 350 km/h (217 mph).
Each trainset can carry 601 passengers, 555 in Premium Economy, 28 in First Class, and 18 in VIP Class; it also has wheelchair ramps and areas. KCIC400AF trainset is 8-cars long, and it's capable of double heading to increase the passenger capacity during peak season. The trainsets are equipped with an automatic train protection system that can automatically engage the emergency brake in case of an earthquake. The trainsets have a service life of 30 years.
My favorite part of Whoosh is the fact that it's environmentally friendly. Did you know that planes emit nearly one billion metric tons of CO² emissions every year? Planes are the most unsustainable and environmentally destructive form of transportation. Unlike planes, high-speed trains, like Whoosh, are 100% environmentally friendly, they're powered by electricity and thus have zero direct emissions. When you choose high-speed rail instead of flying, Planet Earth and Mother Nature say thank you for not killing them. High-speed trains are also more equitable to disadvantaged communities such as people of color and people with disabilities, since their tickets are generally much more affordable than plane tickets and they have features like wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets. High-speed rail isn't a racist and ableist transportation system as it's open to all and is inclusive. Countries worldwide should do what the Europeans do, build massive, extensive high-speed rail networks and ban flights whenever possible. Simply put, high-speed rail is much, much better for people and the planet than air travel, it's the transportation of the future and I'm excited about the prospect of the entire island of Java being connected with Whoosh network so domestic flights can be completely banned.
Category Story / Still Life
Species Land Vehicle
Gender Other / Not Specified
Size 1920 x 1920px
Listed in Folders
Something that hardcore capitalists just don't understand, is that there's a REASON for life. Many reasons, actually. But one of those important reasons, is to be chill. We ALL deserve that. These trains are so friggin' chill, they're truly sci-fi machines in the now (but unfortunately not my "here").
I'm glad you had a great experience on an amazing piece of technology, whose benefits to civilization far outweigh the costs, while being ecologically mindful.
I'm glad you had a great experience on an amazing piece of technology, whose benefits to civilization far outweigh the costs, while being ecologically mindful.
I h8 to burst your buddle but happyness of the people is no part of capitalism at all. That why is one of the reasons why it repeatedly fails and crashes in cycles. they forgot the human in their equations... they have not factored in happyness, health and most importantly they forgot human nature: greed. b4 the socialists cheer: you also forgot to factor in how the actual average human is: greedy, selfish, tribalistic, varieed, nonuniform. both started with a wrong view on humanity, both have correct observations but both solutions dont work. maybe a synthesis is in order.... and a better education: that can counter many problems....
You didn’t burst my bubble, you just restated it with more sadness.
Some people are greedy, yes. But remember, just because America’s culture is garbage, doesn’t mean others are.
Just because we don’t get high speed rail or conveyor belt sushi, doesn’t mean the rest of the world is as uncivilized.
Americans are behind when it comes to being civilized. :/
Some people are greedy, yes. But remember, just because America’s culture is garbage, doesn’t mean others are.
Just because we don’t get high speed rail or conveyor belt sushi, doesn’t mean the rest of the world is as uncivilized.
Americans are behind when it comes to being civilized. :/
well they made the step to barbarism without the civilization bit... the result is in plain view....
there IS an american culture ask the sioux, cheyenne and so on....
there IS an american culture ask the sioux, cheyenne and so on....
We do have a dark history.
But we also have Star Trek as a guiding light for what humans truly can achieve together.
...maybe besides transporters and ftl travel.
But we have the next best thing, as the fox-lady has shown to us!
We as humans. Not we as the US. Yet. Vote for people who aren't bought by corporations, lobbyists, and superPACs. Vote for the people who are accountable to the People, not the corporations.
But we also have Star Trek as a guiding light for what humans truly can achieve together.
...maybe besides transporters and ftl travel.
But we have the next best thing, as the fox-lady has shown to us!
We as humans. Not we as the US. Yet. Vote for people who aren't bought by corporations, lobbyists, and superPACs. Vote for the people who are accountable to the People, not the corporations.
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