Pramono Hopes Public Transport Ridership Increase Will Be a Gift for Jakarta's Anniversary

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung hopes the number of public transport users in the Indonesian capital can increase to more than 30 per cent. He considers this would be a sweet gift for Jakarta’s 63rd anniversary this month.

“The gift (for the anniversary), if it can reach 30 per cent, Alhamdulillah,” Pramono said in West Jakarta on Thursday (11/6), as quoted by Antara.

Pramono stated that overall transport connectivity has now reached 93 per cent. Moreover, the Transjabodetabek service is now available for residents from outside Jakarta who work in the capital.

Nevertheless, he lamented that the current number of public transport users is still below 30 per cent. According to him, many people still prefer to use private transport.

However, with the current rise in fuel prices, Pramono believes the number of public transport users will increase.

Additionally, he is open to adding new categories to the existing 15 groups eligible for free public transport in the capital. He said the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will continue campaigning for the utilisation of these 15 free categories to encourage people to use public transport.

“We will likely add more categories and make them free. So that the cross-subsidy is fairer; for those who cannot afford it, it is free. For those who can, they pay a bit more,” he said.

Pramono will seriously consider adjustments to Transjabodetabek fares so as not to push residents back to using private transport. He also mentioned that Transjabodetabek fares would be considered based on distance, so that fare adjustments do not burden the public under current conditions.

“Not all Transjabodetabek fares will increase significantly. Because, as governor, I also consider the public’s ability in the current situation,” he said.