Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, who also serves as acting Jakarta governor, said on Monday that citizens should preferably stay home on Sept. 5, or use alternative routes prepared by the city administration if choosing to travel.
The day, according to the pope’s itinerary, will see the head of the Catholic Church making a trip around the capital city from morning to noon, with road blockades and special convoys to make way for the pontiff’s travel, which is expected to worsen the traffic congestion in and around Central Jakarta.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, who also serves as acting Jakarta governor, said on Monday that citizens should preferably stay home on Sept. 5 or use alternative routes that have been prepared by the city administration if choosing to travel.
“The people of Jakarta must be vigilant when choosing their travel routes, and consider that any routes heading toward the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium will likely face heavier traffic,” Heru said in a press conference, as quoted by Antara.
After visiting Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta at 9 a.m., the pontiff will also conduct a Mass at the GBK stadium, where over 70,000 Catholics from all over the country will attend the highly anticipated religious service.
Those planning to attend the Mass have been advised to use public transportation, as the routes around the GBK stadium, which are already typically congested, will see increased traffic with enthused crowds hoping to see the Vatican sovereign.
The Jakarta Transportation Agency, also on Monday, explained that alternative routes for traveling the area had been prepared to avoid further congestion, which is projected to be most felt in Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Jl. Gatot Subroto and Jl. Asia-Afrika. Some roads will also be closed off during the religious Mass.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.