Prabowo Tests Luxury Train 'Nusantara Explorer' for Tourism Push

President Prabowo Subianto recently embarked on an unusual work visit, opting to travel back to Jakarta by train from Batang, Central Java. He boarded the newly developed tourist train, named the Nusantara Explorer. The journey, which took approximately 4.5 hours, saw Prabowo and his entourage travel from Batang Station to Manggarai Station in Jakarta. detikcom had the opportunity to join this trip aboard the luxurious train, which was being tested by non-technical personnel for the first time before its public launch. Several officials accompanied Prabowo on this trial run of the panoramic-windowed train. Among them were Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. "Today is still a trial run as it has not been officially launched. And we, who had the chance to look inside the cabin interior, can greatly appreciate that PT KAI is now capable of producing world-class, international-standard train carriages," stated Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi during an interview inside the carriage. Prabowo and his group departed from Batang Station at 5:00 PM WIB. The Nusantara Explorer train passed through KRL Commuter Line stations before arriving at Manggarai Station in Jakarta at 9:20 PM WIB. Externally, the train carriages are black with golden batik motifs, emphasizing a strong Nusantara design. The wide panoramic windows provide a direct view of the train's interior. The Nusantara Explorer trainset features distinct interior designs and facilities across its carriages, which include Signature Class, Advanced Class, Compact Class, and a Lounge. The Signature Class carriages offer the most luxurious amenities, including a king-size bed, a sofa set, a shower room with hot water facilities, and a bathtub. The other classes offer facilities not far below in quality, ensuring comfort for long journeys with beds to rest and relax. Prasetyo Hadi explained that the Nusantara Explorer will serve special long-trip tourism journeys. It will transport passengers from one destination to another across Java over several days. Tickets for the Nusantara Explorer service will eventually be sold to the public in the form of travel packages to various tourist destinations. "In order to enhance tourism potential, one of the things the President wants is for us to develop railway-based tourism," said Prasetyo Hadi. "Following the President's instructions, we are asked to strengthen it, to build new carriages that will later be integrated with our flagship tourist destinations," he added. Prasetyo gave an example of a potential Nusantara Explorer journey that would take passengers from Jakarta, travel along the southern route of Java with coastal views, then proceed to Central Java to take passengers to Borobudur Temple or Prambanan Temple, as well as other tourist locations that are still being planned. Regarding when the Nusantara Explorer will be available to the public, Prasetyo targeted its completion this year. "If possible, this year," he said.