Pramono Reveals Key to Jakarta Outperforming New York in Managing Traffic Congestion

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that Jakarta’s traffic congestion levels are better than those in New York. Pramono referred to Jakarta’s ranking at 17th in terms of transportation, leaving New York far behind.

“What surprised Mayor Mamdani [of New York] is that Jakarta’s ranking is also much better than New York’s in terms of transportation. We are ranked 17th in the world, while New York is much lower,” Pramono said during a special interview with CNN Indonesia at City Hall, Jakarta, on Friday (2/10).

Pramono also mentioned that this led Zohran Mamdani to wonder what the key was for Jakarta to improve, given that Jakarta’s congestion was previously worse than New York’s.

Pramono then explained that Transjabodetabek is the key to the reduction of congestion in Jakarta.

“Transjabodetabek is one of the key factors that has made transportation in Jakarta better,” he said.

According to Pramono, transport management used to focus only on the Jakarta area. However, transportation is now regulated not only within Jakarta but also in surrounding areas such as Bekasi, Depok, Bogor, Tangerang, and South Tangerang.

These surrounding areas are connected via transport services such as the Transjakarta Bus. This, he believes, is what has caused congestion to decrease significantly.

“Now there is a connection using the Transjakarta Bus, which has significantly reduced congestion,” he said.

In addition to the Transjakarta Bus, Pramono mentioned other forms of public transport that contribute to the reduction of congestion in Jakarta. He cited the Commuter Line (KRL) as a solution to the congestion issues often faced by concert-goers.

Pramono explained that attendees feel more satisfied when returning from a concert without facing traffic, as they can use the KRL, which only takes 25 to 30 minutes to reach home.

“Parking is now all located at Ancol. We connect the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) with Ancol, and then there is the KRL. People are happy because, on average, when attending a concert like The Weeknd’s, they can return to their respective homes in just 25 to 30 minutes,” he explained.

Other forms of public transport contributing to the reduction of congestion in Jakarta include the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), Transjabodetabek, Minitrans, and Jaklingko.

To maximise congestion solutions, Pramono is even expanding public transport networks. For instance, the development of the LRT route from Kelapa Gading to Manggarai, which previously only covered the Kelapa Gading to Velodrome route.

“Previously, the LRT only ran from Kelapa Gading to Velodrome; it would never have been able to develop because it was too short and did not connect anywhere. Therefore, I am working to complete the LRT construction up to Manggarai,” said Pramono.

Furthermore, Pramono mentioned that he is also developing the LRT route to Dukuh Atas. He hopes this construction will be completed by 2028.

“Hopefully, by 2028, it will reach Dukuh Atas,” he added.

Other routes planned by Pramono include an LRT route to the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) and an LRT route to the Halim High-Speed Railway Station. He hopes these developments will be completed before his term ends.

“So, hopefully, it will be finished during this era,” he said.

Pramono believes that if this expansion of transport modes is completed, the public transport options in the Jakarta area and its surroundings will become much more diverse.