Free Drinking Water Proposed at Jakarta Bus Stops

The Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRly) has requested the local government to prepare free drinking water facilities for citizens, particularly for public transport users and workers active on the streets.

The Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) previously issued an early drought warning for the period of 11-20 September 2026. This condition is deemed necessary to anticipate as it may increase the risk of dehydration, especially for members of the public who spend significant time outdoors.

Kevin Wu, a member of Commission A of the Jakarta DPRD from the PSI Faction, has called on the Jakarta Health Office (Dinkes) to coordinate with various departments and regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) to provide free drinking water points in areas with high citizen mobility.

“One of the problems our citizens may face is dehydration. I am encouraging the Health Office to coordinate, for instance, with Transjakarta and PAM JAYA, to provide free drinking water points at various busy and important bus stops,” Kevin stated in an official release on Wednesday (16/9).

According to Kevin, such facilities are vital to place at public transport hubs because they are used by large numbers of people every day. The provision of free drinking water also serves as an anticipatory measure against the impacts of hot weather and drought. Particular attention was also requested for online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers who work for hours amidst traffic and intense sunlight.

“Vulnerable groups, such as ojol drivers, must also be considered. These free drinking water points need to be expanded to the stopping and resting places of ojol drivers. We must ensure they do not suffer from exhaustion or fall ill due to a lack of rest and hydration,” he emphasised.

Kevin hopes this step can complement the BPBD Jakarta’s appeal to the public to conserve and reserve clean water. Free drinking water facilities are seen as a simple effort to maintain the well-being of citizens during periods of hot weather and drought.