{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1680001,
        "msgid": "mti-proposes-free-public-transport-to-save-fuel-1776268309",
        "date": "2026-04-15 22:11:57",
        "title": "MTI Proposes Free Public Transport to Save Fuel",
        "author": "Hilda B Alexander",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Infrastructure",
        "summary": "The Indonesian Transport Society (MTI) has proposed making public transport free in major cities as a quick measure to reduce fuel consumption amid the global energy crisis, urging a shift from private vehicles to public options. While acknowledging the government's Work From Home scheme on Fridays, MTI warns of potential non-productive travel and calls for evaluation and long-term transformation of the national transport system, including integrated public transport and subsidies redirection. This approach aims to ensure access to essential services while turning the crisis into an opportunity for a more efficient and sustainable transport network.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Transport Society (MTI) has\nproposed a policy of free public transport as one of the quick steps to\nsave fuel consumption (BBM) amid the global energy crisis.<\/p>\n<p>MTI General Chairman Haris Muhammadun stated that the global energy\ncrisis should be used as a momentum to carry out fundamental changes to\nthe national transport system.<\/p>\n<p>MTI assesses that mobility restriction policies alone are not\nsufficient to address energy issues in the long term.<\/p>\n<p>As a quick step, MTI proposes the implementation of zero or free\nfares for mass public transport in major cities for a certain\nperiod.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need a policy, for example, making public transport free for a\nmonth,\u201d said Haris during a press conference in Central Jakarta on\nWednesday (15\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>This policy is expected to encourage the public to switch from\nprivate vehicles to public transport, thereby significantly reducing BBM\nconsumption.<\/p>\n<p>The government has implemented a Work From Home (WFH) scheme every\nFriday for several weeks now.<\/p>\n<p>However, MTI sees that this policy triggers non-productive\nactivities, such as tourist trips or even returning to hometowns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is potential for side effects that need to be anticipated,\nincluding the shift of travel to non-productive activities that\npotentially consume BBM because the WFH scheme is carried out on the\nlast working day of the week, a decline in economic productivity in\ncertain sectors, and ineffectiveness if without support for alternative\npublic transport,\u201d explained Haris.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, Haris encourages the government to evaluate the\nimplementation of WFH to save BBM, whether it is appropriate or there\nare things that need to be fixed.<\/p>\n<p>In the long term, MTI encourages the transformation of the national\ntransport system based on integrated and sustainable public\ntransport.<\/p>\n<p>These steps include shifting modes from private vehicles to public\ntransport, developing public transport in medium-sized cities and rural\nareas, as well as reorienting energy subsidies from BBM to the public\ntransport sector.<\/p>\n<p>MTI also emphasises the importance of integrating the transport\nsystem with national logistics and accelerating the use of low-emission\nvehicles.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe energy crisis should not be answered only by limiting mobility.\nWe must ensure that citizens can still access schools, health services,\nand jobs,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p>MTI urges the government to provide stimulus in expanding the\ncoverage of public transport services, especially when BBM runs out.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMTI believes that with the right approach, the current energy crisis\ncan become a turning point towards a more efficient, sustainable, and\nequitable Indonesian transport system,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mti-proposes-free-public-transport-to-save-fuel-1776268309",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}