Save National Fuel by Making Public Transport Free, Only Rp 4 Trillion Per Year

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Transport Society (MTI) is pushing the government to provide subsidies for public transport as a means to save Fuel Oil (BBM) amid the energy crisis resulting from global conflicts.

MTI Advisory Board member Djoko Setijowarno stated that only a subsidy of Rp 4 trillion per year for each region is needed to make public transport free.

“Rp 4 trillion per year, if per month, just divide by 12,” said Djoko on Wednesday (15/04/2026).

“DKI Jakarta clearly can afford it. There is Transjakarta, LRT Jakarta, MRT Jakarta. The total might be Rp 5 trillion per year (needed to make public transport free in Jakarta),” Djoko explained.

In agreement with Djoko, MTI General Chairman Haris Muhammadun stated that the global energy crisis should be used as a momentum for fundamental changes in the national transport system.

As a quick step, MTI proposes the implementation of zero or free fares for mass public transport in major cities for a certain period.

“We need a policy, for example, making public transport free for a month,” said Haris.

This policy is expected to encourage the public to switch from private vehicles to public transport, thereby significantly reducing BBM consumption.

The government has implemented a Work From Home (WFH) scheme every Friday for several weeks now.

However, MTI views that this policy triggers non-productive activities, such as tourist trips or even returning to hometowns.

Therefore, Haris urges the government to evaluate the implementation of WFH for saving BBM, whether it is appropriate or if there are things that need to be improved.

In the long term, MTI encourages the transformation of the national transport system based on integrated and sustainable public transport.