Building a Sustainable Future: Jakarta’s Public Transportation Development

As Jakarta rapidly grows and urbanizes, the need for sustainable public transportation infrastructure becomes increasingly critical. Traffic congestion, pollution, and high carbon footprints have become Jakarta's main challenges over the years, contributed by the increasing population and rapid economic activities in Jakarta and its supporting city. One solution deemed relatively suitable for tackling congestion and pollution problems is to develop sustainable, dependable, affordable, and inclusive public transportation systems. 

According to the Global City Power Index issued by Mori Memorial Foundation in 2023, Jakarta ranks 47th in terms of public transportation accessibility. Government intervention is crucial in addressing the deficiencies of Jakarta's public transportation system, in response, the development plan for Jakarta City 2030 emphasizes prioritizing mobility enhancement for every citizen. This plan includes improvement of existing transportation infrastructure such as  the Transjakarta BRT, loopline KRL, and Jabodetabek systems, while also introducing various new transportation modes. The MRT network will expand from north to south, connecting coastal areas to Tangerang Selatan, and a west-east corridor will link Jakarta to Tangerang. Additionally, the LRT network also will improve citizen mobility within the city with expanding coverage including East, West, South and North Jakarta. These enhancements are integral to shaping Jakarta's urban landscape, with a focus on directing activity and population centers around transit points within walking and cycling distances, aiming to achieve the target of 70% People Near Transit (PNT). Moreover, city service centers will be strategically located around mass transit interchanges, and areas developed with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles will prioritize compact, high-density zones equipped with essential infrastructure and urban services.

The development of sustainable public transportation infrastructure in Jakarta is also aligned with Indonesia's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia). By prioritizing environmentally friendly and inclusive transportation systems, Jakarta can significantly contribute to several SDGs, including Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 13: Climate Action, and Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Jakarta Province announced that the number of public transportation users keeps growing year by year. According to a BPS Jakarta study from 2023, 30.93 million people used TransJakarta in January of 2024, an increase of 6.83% compared to December 2023, which is 1.9 million people. According to BPS, there were 54.66% more passengers traveling via TransJakarta in January 2023 than there were in January 2023, which is 10.9 million people. The increase in the number of passengers happened as a result of development of the number of serving buses, totaling 4,395 units in January 2024. According to BPS records, TransJakarta is the mode of transportation with the highest number of passengers compared to MRT and LRT. Meanwhile, the number of MRT Jakarta passengers reached 3.143 million people with 8,241 trips in January 2024. This represents an increase of 1.44% compared to December 2023 (month-to-month) which is 117 trips and 2.56% compared to January 2023 (year-on-year) which is 206 trips. As for the number of LRT Jakarta passengers, it reached 96,837 people with 6,324 trips in January 2024. The number of LRT Jakarta passengers decreased by 1.60% compared to December 2023 (month-to-month) which is -1,576 people, but experienced a significant increase of 33.71% compared to January 2023  (year-on-year) which is 24,413 people. This growth serves as an opportunity for further investment in Jakarta's public transportation infrastructure, including initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, expanding routes, upgrading facilities, and integrating various modes of transportation. Additionally, it presents opportunities for businesses involved in transportation-related technology, services, and urban development projects.

The economic benefit from the transportation sector shown by economic growth in Jakarta by 4.96% in 2023 compared to 2022 (year-on-year), particularly evident in the Transportation and Warehousing sector, which experienced a remarkable growth rate of 14.05%. The robust performance of the transportation sector in Jakarta is largely attributed to the surge in both passenger and cargo volumes across nearly all modes of transportation. This economic benefit in the transportation sector is further underscored by the highest investment realizations, totaling Rp24.9 trillion for Domestic Direct Investment (26.2%) and Rp35.1 trillion for Foreign Direct Investment (49.0%).

In terms of financing public transportation infrastructure, aside from using PMD (Penanaman Modal Daerah), public-private partnerships (PPPs) are encouraged to help finance and manage public transportation projects, leveraging private sector expertise and capital to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of transit systems. By fostering collaboration between government and private entities, cities like Jakarta can accelerate the development of sustainable public transportation networks and unlock new opportunities for economic growth and innovation.

The development of Jakarta's sustainable public transportation infrastructure can lead to increased property values and economic development along transportation corridors. Access to efficient and reliable public transportation services enhances the desirability of neighborhoods and areas near transit hubs, attracting investment and stimulating economic activity. As property values rise in these transit-oriented areas, developers are incentivized to invest in new residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, further driving economic growth and creating job opportunities. 

Furthermore, developing sustainable public transportation infrastructure in Jakarta brings significant environmental benefits. By encouraging more people to use public transportation instead of private vehicles, emissions of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants can be significantly reduced, leading to improved air quality and mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on the environment. 

All things considered, the development of sustainable public transportation infrastructure in Jakarta not only addresses the city's pressing urban challenges but also stimulates a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits, ultimately leading to a more livable urban environment.

References:

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IQAir, 2023, Indeks Kualitas Udara Jakarta 2023, https://www.iqair.com/id/indonesia/jakarta

Maudina Nafrah, et. al, “‘Sustainable Transportation in Southeast Asian countries: Implementation of Green Transport”, Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, 6(2). 2023

BPS Jakarta, 2023, Berita Resmi Statistik “Pertumbuhan Ekonomi DKI Jakarta Triwulan IV-2023” BRS No.07/02/31/Th.XXVI 5 Februari 2024

BKPM, 2023, Laporan Realisasi Penanaman Modal Asing dan Dalam Negeri, DKI Jakarta, 2023

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