Ojol Regulation Could Trigger Economic Ripple Effects: The Risks

JAKARTA — The policy of reducing ride-hailing app operators’ commission to 8 per cent has not yet had a significant effect on drivers’ net earnings. The situation underlines that commission rates are not the only factor determining the welfare of drivers on the ground.

Yodhi M Ahyad, a representative of ride-hailing drivers from URC New Jabodetabek/UNJ, said changes to the revenue-sharing arrangement had not increased drivers’ daily earnings because platforms had reduced incentives and subsidies.

“Earnings on the ground have not risen. They have, in fact, tended to fall because promotions and subsidies have also been cut,” Yodhi said in a press release on Wednesday (11 November 2026).

The situation illustrates how sensitive the supply chain and digital mobility ecosystem are to policy intervention. For drivers who rely on the service as their main source of income, fluctuations in order volumes and daily expenses directly affect their purchasing power and ability to meet their families’ basic needs.

Agung Yudha, executive director of the Indonesian Digital Mobility and Delivery Association (Modantara), said the revenue-sharing split of 8 per cent for app operators and 92 per cent for drivers had already been applied to passenger transport services using two-wheeled vehicles. However, its long-term impact on the industry’s resilience and drivers’ incomes still needs to be assessed over time.

Agung stressed that new regulations should take account of the need to balance protections for drivers, work flexibility and the sustainability of the wider digital business ecosystem.

“However, the impact of this scheme on the sustainability of app operators and the incomes of driver partners still needs to be observed over the coming period,” Agung said.