Part 4/13:
Now, in 2023, the benefits of the high-speed train appear faint against the mounting financial chaos. Despite the hype, the train's actual usage is embarrassingly sparse. With a designed capacity of 600 passengers per trip, many trains are running with fewer than 100 commuters. Ticket prices, set around $25 USD, are prohibitively high for most locals, especially when buses and regular trains cost a fraction of that. As a result, for many Indonesians, the train functions more as a luxury photo op for the middle class rather than a practical transportation option.