Assessing the Effectiveness of ASN Work from Home Every Friday: Can It Tame Jakarta's Traffic?

JAKARTA - The work from home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) every Friday is beginning to show an impact on traffic volume on several major roads in Jakarta. However, the reduction is considered very slight and insufficient to significantly change the face of congestion in the capital. Data from the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) even reveals an interesting phenomenon in the Jenderal Sudirman-Karet corridor. The total number of vehicles has indeed decreased, but four-wheeled vehicles have actually increased on Fridays when the ASN WFH policy is implemented. Nevertheless, this reduction is not substantial enough to make Jakarta’s roads free-flowing, especially on economic activity corridors. Dishub DKI recorded that in the Jenderal Sudirman-Karet corridor, the average total vehicles during peak work hours (Monday-Thursday) in April 2026 for inbound Jakarta reached 38,611 vehicles. “Meanwhile, on Fridays when ASN WFH is enforced, the figure was 38,577 vehicles, or a slight drop of 0.09 percent,” stated Listiyaning in a statement received by Kompas.com on Monday (11/5/2026). Heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks also decreased from 1,217 to 1,177 vehicles. However, at the same time, four-wheeled vehicles were recorded to have increased. On workdays, the average was 17,950 light vehicles, while on WFH Fridays, it rose to 18,379 vehicles. Meanwhile, outbound Jakarta traffic flow in Sudirman-Karet shows a clearer reduction. The total vehicles dropped from 30,348 to 28,728 vehicles, or a 5.34 percent decrease. The largest drop occurred in four-wheeled vehicles, from 17,040 to 15,631 vehicles, or an 8.27 percent reduction. Motorcycles also saw a slight drop from 11,919 to 11,709 vehicles. The average total vehicles on workdays reached 39,186 vehicles, while on WFH Fridays, it was 39,194 vehicles, or a slight increase of 0.02 percent. However, for outbound Jakarta, a substantial reduction is evident. The average total vehicles on workdays reached 46,967 vehicles, dropping to 41,014 vehicles on WFH Fridays, or a 12.68 percent decrease. The most significant drop was in motorcycles, from 36,942 to 31,667 vehicles, a 14.28 percent reduction. Heavy vehicles also fell from 1,145 to 988 vehicles. On ASN WFH Fridays, the figure dropped to 26,175 vehicles, or a 3.67 percent decrease. However, outbound Jakarta traffic flow actually increased. The average total vehicles on workdays was 51,407 vehicles, rising to 54,473 vehicles on WFH Fridays, or a 5.97 percent increase. “This increase mainly occurred in motorcycles, rising from 29,434 to 31,823 vehicles. Four-wheeled vehicles also increased from 19,816 to 20,620 vehicles,” she said. “From traffic counting sensor data, there is no shift in peak congestion hours (peak hour) between workdays (Monday to Thursday) and Fridays during WFH implementation, which is from 7 to 9 a.m.,” said Listiyaning. Dishub also confirms that there is no special treatment in traffic management during the ASN WFH policy implementation. In addition, Dishub DKI mentions the potential for traffic congestion paradox or induced demand, a condition where roads that feel looser actually encourage more people to use private vehicles. “Based on traffic counting results on the Sudirman-Karet, Rasuna Said, and Thamrin corridors, no strong indications of the traffic congestion paradox phenomenon (induced demand) have been identified,” said Listiyaning.