Observers Support Transjabodetabek Fare Adjustment, Call for Competitive Pricing

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s plan to adjust fares for the Transjabodetabek bus service has received backing from transport observers. The fare adjustment is considered necessary to create a healthier and more competitive public transport ecosystem in the capital’s buffer zones. Transport observer Deddy Herlambang stated that the current flat fare scheme of Rp3,500 is no longer relevant for long-distance routes to satellite areas, arguing that the figure is too low for the extensive service coverage. “The Transjabodetabek fare is indeed too cheap if the flat fare is Rp3,500 to anywhere. The ideal fare must be competitive with commuter line (KRL) fares,” Deddy said in Jakarta on Tuesday. He added that fare adjustments are reasonable to allow the service to adapt to existing market conditions without compromising passenger service quality. Meanwhile, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has assured that any policy change will not drastically burden residents. Special Staff to the Governor and Deputy Governor of Jakarta for Public Communication, Chico Hakim, emphasised that the subsidy element remains a priority. “The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government adheres to the principle that Transjakarta, including Transjabodetabek, has a Public Service Obligation (PSO) element. This naturally prioritises the consideration of the community’s economic capability,” Chico explained. Although the adjustment plan is under way, Chico noted that the exact new fare for Transjabodetabek has not yet been decided, as the government is still conducting an in-depth study on which routes will be affected. The fare adjustment is expected to improve fleet operational efficiency while maintaining the sustainability of integrated transport services in the rapidly growing Greater Jakarta area.