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Transjakarta aims for more riders, sustainability after 20 years of service
After two decades of service transporting Jakartans around the city, Jakarta-owned bus operator Transjakarta is aiming to move more passengers and also improve the sustainability of its operations through a reduced subsidy from the city to help millions more people navigate the capital's notorious traffic.
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People rest in the shade past a Transjakarta bus shelter undergoing renovation work in Jakarta on Sept. 4, 2022. (AFP/Adek Berry)
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akarta-owned city bus operator Transjakarta has come a long way since its introduction two decades ago as the first bus rapid transit (BRT) service in the country, and even in Southeast Asia.
After 20 years of service, Transjakarta is currently seeking to not only increase its ridership, but also improve its sustainability to help millions of Jakartans navigating the city’s notorious traffic.
Concerns of total gridlock across the capital were what pushed then-Jakarta governor Sutiyoso in 2003 to create a BRT system with its dedicated lane, off-board fare collection and fast and frequent operations.
At that time, the plan faced some pushback from the public, who were concerned that the “busway” would reduce space for private vehicles and in turn exacerbate the city’s congestion. Despite resistance, Transjakarta opened its first corridor on Jan. 15, 2004, a 13-kilometer route between Blok M, South Jakarta and Kota, West Jakarta.
The bus service quickly drew passengers with attractive features compared with other services at that time, such as fully air-conditioned buses and a relatively cheap fare of Rp 2,000 (13 US cents). Its vehicles also only stopped at dedicated shelters with reliable headway; unlike other bus services which waited for passengers anywhere and which only departed when all seats were filled.
The service was similar to a BRT system developed in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, which started operation years before Jakarta.
Thanks to its revolutionary service, Transjakarta managed to transport nearly 16 million passengers during its first year of operation.
