Whoosh High-Speed Rail Sees Record 13,000 International Passengers For Holidays

Jakarta - The Whoosh high-speed train has achieved a new milestone in international ridership during the latest holiday season. Operator PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) announced that the service carried 13,000 international passengers throughout the Christmas and New Year's (Nataru) travel period, highlighting its appeal to visitors from abroad. This impressive figure points to the successful adoption of this modern transport link by the regional travel market.

A detailed breakdown shows that tourists from Malaysia were the primary drivers of this international traffic, constituting 53% of all foreign passengers. In concrete terms, this translates to 7,000 Malaysian nationals boarding the Whoosh train from December 18, 2025, onwards. Daily averages during the peak saw between 750 and 1,000 Malaysian tourists traveling on the line.

Eva Chairunisa, General Manager Corporate Secretary of KCIC, provided context for this trend. She noted that Malaysian visitors are strategically using the fast train to access popular holiday spots. "Malaysian tourists are leveraging the year-end holiday to vacation in Bandung, as well as visit a number of natural tourism destinations in West Java such as Lembang, Ciwidey, and various other destinations," Eva explained.

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The holiday surge is part of a longer-term pattern of strong Malaysian affinity for the service. Historical data since Whoosh's 2023 launch shows that nearly 294,000 passengers from Malaysia have been onboard. This number forms a substantial part of the total 394,000 international passengers served to date, solidifying Malaysia as the train's key foreign market.

Overall ticket sales for the Nataru period were robust, reaching about 225,000. The average daily passenger volume during this time was 22,000 to 24,000, marking a clear 20-30% increase from the usual daily average of 16,000 to 18,000 passengers. This indicates heightened overall travel activity, with international visitors contributing significantly.

Specific daily counts demonstrate the consistent demand. Passenger numbers reached around 21,000 on Friday, December 26. By the afternoon of Saturday, December 27, ticket sales had already hit 16,000, with projections suggesting a final tally of about 22,000 for the day, confirming the persistent holiday rush.

Anticipating continued high interest, KCIC has issued guidance for travelers. The company recommends that all passengers, especially tourists, plan their trips in advance and secure tickets early via official channels. This proactive measure is intended to ensure seat availability and contribute to a smooth, pleasant journey for everyone during the busy season.

This record international ridership, led by Malaysian tourists, demonstrates Whoosh's transformative effect on travel patterns in Java. By efficiently connecting the international gateway of Jakarta to the cultural and natural attractions of Bandung and West Java, the high-speed rail is actively shaping Indonesia's tourism landscape and fostering greater ASEAN connectivity.

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Holiday Travel International Passengers Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Rail KCIC Record Whoosh Train Ridership