Jakarta Reviews New Proposal for Saturday Car Free Day
The Jakarta Provincial Government is still reviewing the proposal to implement Car Free Day (CFD) on both Saturdays and Sundays. The proposal includes adding one extra CFD day to the current schedule, which is presently held only on Sundays.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the decision regarding this proposal will be made following further study. Various parties have also provided input regarding the benefits and the potential traffic impact if CFD is held twice a week.
Pramono Still Reviewing Saturday and Sunday CFD
Pramono noted that the proposal for a twice-weekly CFD, suggested by Minister of Environment (LH) Jumhur Hidayat, is still being discussed internally within the Jakarta Provincial Government. He noted that the implementation of CFD needs careful study because several road segments used for the activity are vital arteries for Jakarta.
“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,” said Pramono in the Cempra K putih area, Central Jakarta, on Friday (11/9/2026).
Pramono then emphasised that he does not want to rush into a decision. He stated that the study must also consider residents affected by road closures.
“So, I am requesting that we delve deeper into this, study the proposal for two days, and certainly ask the residents. We must ensure that the desire to promote healthy living for citizens does not inadvertently lead to unhealthy conditions for them,” he expressed.
Saturday CFD Locations Still Under Consideration
Pramono stated that a Saturday-Sunday CFD cannot be immediately implemented in two locations simultaneously, namely the Sudirman-Thamrin area and Jalan Rasuna Said. The Jakarta Provincial Government is still considering the most suitable location to ensure that office, hotel, and retail activities are not disrupted.
“I am seriously reviewing the Minister of Environment’s proposal for Saturday-Sunday. However, if Saturday involves both locations—what is regulated by the central government at Rasuna Said and what is at Sudirman-Thamrin—we certainly cannot do both; it must be one or the other,” explained Pram.
Residents met during the CFD at Jalan Rasuna Said also offered location suggestions. Reza (40) proposed that the Saturday CFD be held around Senayan, as it is perceived to offer more activity options.
“Perhaps Senayan. There are more options there compared to HI, which is just one spot. At GBK, we can access the stadium, the inner areas, and the urban forest; there are more choices,” said Reza on Sunday (20/9/2026).
Proposal for a 3-Month Trial
The Chairperson of the PKS Faction of the Jakarta DPRD, M Taufik Zoelkifli, proposed that the Saturday-Sunday CFD should not be established permanently right away. He encouraged a trial period of two to three months to observe the benefits and the situation on the ground.
“My suggestion is that we conduct a trial first, for 3 months or 2 months, for a 2-day CFD on Saturday and Sunday,” said Taufik on Sunday (20/9/2026).
According to Taufik, an evaluation can be conducted after the trial period to assess the impact of the policy. He noted that adding a CFD day has the potential to provide more opportunities for citizens to exercise and for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) to sell goods.
“Then we evaluate and look at the pros and cons. If there are more benefits, then we can implement a 2-day CFD on Saturday and Sunday. But, if it turns out the benefits are not significant, then there is certainly no need to continue,” he explained.
Traffic as a Consideration
Taufik also warned of potential traffic disruptions if CFD is held on Saturdays, as some members of the public are still working or conducting activities on that day.
“However, there is another factor; on those two days, not everyone is resting from work. Some offices are still open, so there is a possibility that traffic will be disrupted, meaning that CFD implies certain road segments will be closed,” he said.
Member of Commission B of the Jakarta DPRD, Dwi Rio Sambodo, also requested that preparations involve road users, affected residents, business owners, and CFD participants. He believes that traffic engineering needs to be designed flexibly and socialised well in advance.
“This scheme must be socialised early so that the community and business owners can adjust their activities, ensuring that CFD can run smoothly without causing prolonged conflict with other road users,” said Rio.
On the other hand, several residents support the addition of a CFD day. Reza believes that having CFD on both Saturday and Sunday can distribute the crowd density, while Ika (39) and Ayu (35) suggested the Sudirman area due to the wider variety of food options. Ayu also noted that a two-day CFD could serve as a space for families to gather while helping to reduce pollution.