Anticipating Fuel Price Turmoil, Free Public Transport as an Incentive Option

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Plans to raise fuel prices are considered likely to trigger social unrest if not balanced with affordable transportation solutions. Academic and advisor to the Indonesian Transport Society Council, Djoko Setijowarno, suggests that the government should immediately bolster public transport as a precautionary measure. “Modernising public transportation should not be viewed as a budgetary burden, but rather as fulfilling the state’s obligations and a strategic long-term investment,” Djoko stated to Kompas.com on Sunday (3/5/2026). With this incentive-based approach, people from small towns to large cities could access decent and affordable public transport services before the fuel price increase policy is implemented. He assesses that this step is far more effective than subsidising private vehicles, such as electric motorbikes, which require larger budgets but offer limited benefits. With Rp 10 trillion, transport services could even be made free for students, university students, and workers, thereby serving as a direct economic buffer for affected communities. Djoko also highlights that similar schemes have already proven successful in some regions. In Magelang Regency, for instance, the local government has managed to operate free rural transport for students by utilising a portion of motor vehicle tax funds. In terms of benefits, strengthening public transport is seen to have multiplier effects. Besides acting as an economic safety net, this policy can suppress the potential for public protests and improve traffic safety, particularly for students. Moreover, with an integrated and modern system, public transportation can drive balanced development across regions. By providing safe, affordable, and inclusive mobility services, the government not only mitigates the impact of fuel price increases but also builds a fairer and more sustainable transport system.