Discourse on Jakarta CFD on Saturdays and Sundays: Legislator Urges Thorough Socialisation
Dwi Rio Sambodo, a member of Commission B of the Jakarta DPRD from the PDI-P faction, supports the proposal to implement Car Free Day (CFD) for two days a week in Jakarta. However, Rio has cautioned the Jakarta Provincial Government to prepare for such a move meticulously.
“I am encouraging the Jakarta Provincial Government and the Department of Transportation to evaluate CFD by actively involving road users, business owners, affected residents, and CFD participants. Studies should not rely solely on technical traffic calculations, as the real-world experiences of those using the affected roads and those participating in CFD must be the primary consideration in every policy,” Rio stated when contacted on Monday (14/9/2<0xA0>2026).
Rio noted that traffic engineering must be designed to be flexible and adaptive. He suggested examples such as phased traffic diversions, the optimisation of traffic lights, and temporary one-way systems at specific points.
“This scheme must be socialised well in advance so that the public and business owners can adjust their activities, ensuring that CFD can run smoothly without causing prolonged conflict with other road users,” he said.
“It is necessary to form an integrated team involving the Department of Transportation, the police, and community elements to conduct direct monitoring while CFD is underway. Evaluations must be based on field data, ranging from vehicle density levels, travel time, and the effectiveness of alternative routes, to the comfort of CFD participants and economic activities in the surrounding areas,” he added.
Rio stated that implementing CFD two days a week provides space for citizens to exercise and interact socially in a safe and healthy manner. He will request the Jakarta Provincial Government to prepare for this thoroughly.
“The benefits of (CFD twice a week) for public health and the reduction of air pollution cannot be ignored simply due to technical traffic issues, which can actually be managed. Furthermore, there are many positive impacts across various sectors, such as social interaction spaces, MSMEs, the environment, education, culture, and more,” he explained.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung previously responded to a proposal from the Minister of Environment, Jumhur Hidayat, to hold CFD in Jakarta twice a week, on Saturdays and Sundays, to tackle air pollution. Pramono mentioned that the proposal is currently being reviewed internally by the Jakarta Provincial Government.
“Firstly, I have read the proposal and it is actually quite rational. Therefore, we have conducted discussions within City Hall. We will make a decision when the time comes,” Pramono said in the Cempaka Putih area, Central Jakarta, on Friday (11/9).
Pramono noted that the implementation of CFD in Jakarta is not limited to the Sudirman-Thamrin area. According to him, several administrative cities in Jakarta already have spaces to hold CFD.
“Because in Jakarta, car free day is not only in Sudirman-Thamrin and Rasuna Said. Currently, every city in Jakarta has space to conduct car free day,” he said.