Initial Study Underway for High-Speed Rail Extension to Surabaya

The Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development (Kemenko IPK) has revealed that an initial study is already underway regarding the extension of the high-speed railway from Bandung to Surabaya. “There is a very preliminary study, very early stages indeed,” said Djoko Hartoyo, Assistant Deputy for Inter-Regional Connectivity Development at Kemenko IPK, in Jakarta on Wednesday. He stated that the initial study includes an assessment of three route options for the extension from Bandung to Surabaya. According to him, this initial study can serve as material for subsequent studies regarding the extension of the high-speed train. “So it’s material, material for the next study as well as to determine which route it will take,” he said.

For context, the Ministry of Transportation has stated that the financial restructuring of the Jakarta-Bandung Whoosh High-Speed Rail (KCJB) will be a benchmark before the government decides on extending the line to Surabaya and even Banyuwangi. The Director General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation, Allan Tandiono, stated that this policy aligns with the direction of the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), as Chairman of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail Committee.

Previously, Minister AHY mentioned that the continuation of the Whoosh high-speed rail project to East Java would proceed in parallel while awaiting the financial restructuring of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, the operator of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail. He said he had met with the Ministry of Finance and Danantara Indonesia regarding plans for Whoosh to operate as far as Banyuwangi. According to him, while developing the continuation project, the government will ensure that the KCJB financial restructuring continues. The financial restructuring of KCJB is considered crucial as it will influence the roadmap for developing Whoosh to East Java.

President Prabowo Subianto formed the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail Committee and appointed Agus Harimurti as its Chairman. The appointment was based on Presidential Regulation Number 29 of 2026 concerning the Second Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 107 of 2015 on the Acceleration of the Provision of High-Speed Rail Infrastructure and Facilities between Jakarta and Bandung.