The Indonesian Transport Society (MTI) states that the global energy\ncrisis must be utilised as a momentum to accelerate the transformation\nof the national transport system based on public transport. MTI General\nChairman Haris Muhammadun said that policies focused on controlling\nmobility are not sufficient to address the energy crisis in the long\nterm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage the acceleration of the shift towards a public\ntransport-based transport system, reorientation of energy subsidies into\npublic transport subsidies, strengthening of public transport services\nin urban and rural areas, as well as integration of the national\nlogistics system,\u201d said Haris, quoted from a written statement on\nWednesday, 15 April 2026.<\/p>\n
The global energy crisis triggered by geopolitical tensions in the\nMiddle East has driven up world oil prices and increased pressure on\nIndonesia\u2019s energy resilience. Haris said the transport sector is the\nmost vulnerable because it absorbs 50 percent of national fuel\nconsumption and is still dominated by private vehicles.<\/p>\n
Although the government has taken quick steps such as restricting\nfuel consumption and implementing a work-from-home (WFH) scheme, Haris\nassesses that these policies are still short-term and have not touched\nstructural system transformation.<\/p>\n
He warns of the potential side effects of these policies. Such as the\nshift of travel to non-productive activities that still consume fuel,\ndecreased productivity in certain sectors, and ineffectiveness without\nadequate public transport support.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he said, the government must evaluate policies through\nimpact simulations with a before-after analysis approach. Indicators\nthat can be used include changes in daily travel volume, fuel\nconsumption before and after WFH, and changes in travel patterns.<\/p>\n
In addition, Haris also highlighted the trend of rising energy prices\nthat could directly impact transport costs, inflation, and people\u2019s\npurchasing power. Indonesia\u2019s dependence on fuel imports amplifies the\nrisk, especially since the national transport system is still dominated\nby private vehicles, while public transport services are not evenly\ndistributed, particularly in medium-sized cities and rural areas.<\/p>\n
Moreover, MTI notes several fundamental problems in the national\ntransport system. First, the high dependence on private vehicles that\nare inefficient in energy consumption. Second, limited reliable,\naffordable, and integrated public transport services outside major\ncities.<\/p>\n
Third, policies that still focus on restricting mobility without\nbeing balanced with the provision of alternatives. Fourth, the\nsuboptimal integration of transport with the national logistics system.\nFifth, energy subsidies are still more enjoyed by private vehicles\ncompared to public transport.<\/p>\n
Referring to international practices, Haris assesses that effective\npolicies in facing energy crises are combinative, such as direct\nsubsidies or zero fares for public transport, integration of transport\npolicies with economic stimulus, and acceleration of public transport\nelectrification. \u201cThe root of the problem lies in the fact that an\nefficient, integrated, and public transport-based transport system has\nnot yet been built nationally.\u201d<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mti-energy-crisis-a-momentum-to-shift-to-public-transport-1776261046", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }