HARIANEXPRESS – Jakarta’s public transportation system is experiencing a notable increase in ridership across its primary modes this year. This surge indicates a growing demand for dependable mass transit within the capital.
However, experts point out that the system’s full potential remains largely unrealized due to inadequate connections to the numerous housing developments across Greater Jakarta.
Jakarta’s Public Transit Sees Ridership Boost
The Jakarta branch of Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded significant year-on-year ridership growth across the city’s three main public transportation systems.
These include the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Jakarta, the Light Rail Transit (LRT Jakarta), and the TransJakarta bus service.
Passenger numbers for the MRT rose by 6.13 percent, while the LRT saw a 3.06 percent increase, and TransJakarta experienced a 7.19 percent rise.
In July, TransJakarta was by far the busiest mode, carrying 40.32 million passengers.
The MRT transported 4.64 million passengers, and the LRT served 125,120 passengers during the same period.
Expert Highlights Greater Jakarta Disconnect
Transportation expert Djoko Setijowarno noted that improvements to Jakarta’s public transportation network have clearly contributed to the increase in ridership.
The network now covers up to 92.5 percent of the capital, showcasing substantial development.
Despite this expansion, Djoko Setijowarno explained that it has yet to significantly reduce private vehicle use.
Commuters from neighboring cities in Greater Jakarta continue to rely on their cars or motorcycles because of limited public transportation options outside the capital.
Data from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy highlights the scale of this issue, recording 1.5 million daily commuter trips from satellite cities such as Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi in West Java, as well as Tangerang and South Tangerang in Banten, to Jakarta.
This underscores the urgent need for a more integrated transportation system linking these areas.
To address this, the Jakarta administration collaborated with the Banten administration to open a new Transjabodetabek bus service route on April 24, 2025.
This route connects Alam Sutera township with Blok M in South Jakarta, aiming to help tackle the city’s persistent traffic problems.
