Malioboro Prepares to Become Full Pedestrian Zone
Residents of Yogyakarta and visitors planning to bring vehicles to the Malioboro area should prepare for the implementation of a full pedestrian scheme starting in November. Portal gates have already begun to be installed on several access roads.
“Yes, the full pedestrian scheme begins in November. We are considering, if we keep postponing the full pedestrian plan, until when will it be?” said the Regional Secretary of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Ni Made Dwi Panti Indrayanti, on Wednesday (1/7).
She stated that the plan will involve collaboration with the Yogyakarta City Government. One of the aspects being finalised is the traffic arrangement on the side streets (jalan sirip) of Malioboro.
“Indeed, we need this. This is a collaboration, not just with the DIY Regional Government alone, but with the Yogyakarta City Government. One of the tasks is the arrangement of the side streets,” she explained.
Made explained that several trials for the full pedestrian scheme have already been conducted, such as during Yogyakarta City’s anniversary this year. One of the evaluation results concerns the arrangement of side streets and traditional vehicles.
“Yes, we are trying it out. Since June, the design has included installing portal gates on each side street,” Made revealed.
“We are also observing. Full pedestrian does not mean the area becomes completely deserted with no one able to pass. There are exceptions, such as for special vehicles like ambulances, fire engines in case of an incident, or state guests,” she added.
As observed on Thursday (2/7/2026) at the entrance to Jalan Suryatmajan, portal gates approximately two to three metres long have been installed on both the north and south sides of the road. The green-and-yellow gates appear to be still under construction. The portal posts also seem to be locked, preventing them from being lowered. Besides Jalan Suryatmajan, portals have also been spotted on Jalan Pajeksan.
“I’m not sure when it was installed, but it seems like it wasn’t long ago,” said a parking attendant near the location who declined to be named.
The Head of the DIY Transportation Agency, hrestina Erni Widyastuti, explained that the portals are part of the preparations for Malioboro to become a full pedestrian zone.
Erni elaborated that her agency is currently busy preparing the traffic network arrangement, developing buffer zone parking pockets, improving TransJogja services, regulating logistics distribution, providing pedestrian facilities, ensuring access for persons with disabilities, and coordinating with government agencies and security forces.
“Our focus is not on chasing a percentage of readiness, but on ensuring that the entire supporting ecosystem is truly ready so that the policy implementation can run effectively, in stages, and without disrupting community activities,” Erni stated.
“The main principle we hold is that the pedestrian area must still guarantee the smooth execution of public service duties and security. Therefore, the planned portals are not permanent barriers but are part of an access management system whose operation is regulated through standard procedures compiled jointly with all relevant agencies,” she added.
Erni explained that in the traffic network arrangement, once the full pedestrian scheme is applied, vehicles such as emergency vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, and public service vehicles will still be granted access according to operational needs.
“The mechanism for opening and closing the portals, the timing, and the authorised officers will be determined through joint coordination so that the security of the area is maintained without hindering state duties,” she clarified.
Another scheme being developed by the DIY Regional Government concerns tourists arriving by tour buses.
“Yes, we are also designing that. So, a simulation is also needed for these tour buses, specifically for drop-offs. We hope there will be a designated place or location, but there is still a study being conducted by the city government on that,” she said.
Made continued, expressing hope that the public will understand this policy. She noted that the vehicle burden on Malioboro is already considered too heavy, often causing traffic congestion. Moreover, Malioboro is designated as a low emission zone.
“Why are we doing this arrangement? It is not because we dislike visits, but we want to create comfort. Because the sustainability of an area is achieved when we regulate it,” Made explained.
“If the vehicle volume is large, it will eventually have a negative impact on the area. The carrying capacity and accommodation capacity will be significantly affected if we do not regulate it. Moreover, there are many heritage buildings that could gradually be disturbed by external disruptions, such as vibrations and other factors,” she concluded.