With MRT, Bundaran HI Area Transformed Like Singapore

The Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area in Jakarta will have underground transport connectivity linking the MRT Jakarta station with surrounding commercial areas. The concept resembles public transport connectivity systems in major cities such as Singapore, where MRT stations are directly integrated with shopping centres and business districts.

President Director of PT Integrasi Transit Jakarta Ferdiansyah Roestam said the construction of the Extended Concourse at Bundaran HI is part of efforts to strengthen inter-area connectivity while reducing pedestrian crossings with surface vehicles.

“The idea does not belong to Indonesia, the idea belongs to the whole world. How to reduce at-grade crossings so that people can be safer, more comfortable, and not cross at-grade with motor vehicles,” Ferdiansyah said at Wisma Nusantara, Jakarta, Wednesday (19/8/2026).

The underground connectivity concept has long been applied in various world cities. He cited areas in Singapore that connect shopping centres with public transport networks through underground routes.

“If you can create layering, create layering. We are used to it, perhaps some colleagues have seen Singapore, from Raffles City and Ion (Orchard), everything goes underground,” he said.

A similar concept is being realised at Bundaran HI through the Extended Concourse. The route not only functions as station access but is also being prepared as a public and commercial space. The construction of underground connectivity at Bundaran HI is not the final stage. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is said to be preparing a larger plan to connect more areas.

“If this is only west and east, later the quadrants will be connected, even north-south, especially in the Bundaran HI area,” he said.

The concept is directed at strengthening inter-quadrant interconnection in urban areas. In this way, people do not always need to return to the surface to move from one area to another. Bundaran HI is one of the areas considered most ready for further development in planning terms. However, he stressed that the development must still follow the detailed planning prepared by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.

Questions arose about the possibility of MRT Jakarta having direct tunnels to large shopping centres such as Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia. Ferdiansyah did not mention any certainty regarding direct connections to the two shopping centres. However, he emphasised that the concept of interconnection with commercial areas is part of broader TOD development planning.

With this concept, the Extended Concourse is expected to become not merely a passenger transfer route for the MRT, but a new destination combining transport, public space and commercial activity. The connectivity can ultimately also add value to properties around the area.

He revealed that one developer was even willing to move its property setback area back by up to 80 centimetres to provide more comfortable pedestrian space around the Extended Concourse.

“So now it turns out that we and MRT have met with a new paradigm. These top-tier developers are now competing in pride, saying ‘I want to contribute to more proper public service because ultimately people will enter my property more comfortably’,” he said.

Meanwhile, Department Head Commercial of PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) Ricky Agung Kresna Putra explained that the Extended Concourse area will have commercial functions as well as public space. MRT is preparing areas for F&B, specialty stores, UMKM, brand activation, co-branding, and activities such as art exhibitions and performances.

“We have Dukuh Atas for brand activation, at Blok M Hub, at our other stations. We want to build the same thing, but indeed the concept will be more different because this is something new,” Ricky said.

The public will also be able to use a number of areas for community activities. The concept has previously been applied by MRT at several stations through creative spaces and activation areas.

“Indeed, as has been informed, we have an area that we will use for exhibition space or performing arts,” he said.

The existence of these spaces is not solely to pursue commercial activities. MRT also wants to build a new experience for public transport users. The Extended Concourse concept is also designed so that people do not just walk through the area. MRT has prepared a number of spaces that allow users to stop for a moment, sit, wait or do other activities.