Inp.polri.go.id - Beijing.  President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, confirmed that the expansion of Indonesia’s high-speed rail to Surabaya hinges on government support due to the project's financial scale.

“High-speed rail is expensive—governments usually step in. If KCIC bears the full burden, return on investment becomes too slow. That’s a lesson from the Jakarta–Bandung project,” he told antaranews.com during the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing.

Dwiyana added, “Expanding to Yogyakarta or Surabaya makes economic sense, but it all depends on government commitment.”

The Jakarta–Surabaya route is currently in the preliminary study phase, led by China Railway Design Corporation and Indonesian consultants. The route and financing are still under review by Indonesia’s infrastructure ministry.

The Jakarta–Bandung line (Whoosh), launched in October 2023, cost US$7.2 billion, with Rp7 9 trillion in total debt, largely financed by China Development Bank.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)