TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Greater-Jakarta commuters wary of govt’s plan of income-based fares

With its relatively low costs, Commuter Line has been favored by many; it helps transport nearly 800,000 passengers within Jakarta and across neighboring cities of Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang in a day.

Radhiyya Indra (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Wed, September 4, 2024

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

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!
Greater-Jakarta commuters wary of govt’s plan of income-based fares City landmarks: A Commuter Line train speeds through a low-income residential area, as high-rise buildings, including those belonging to national banks, stand out in Jakarta on June 27, 2023. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)

T

he government’s recent proposal to charge different fares for Greater Jakarta Commuter Line passengers based on their incomes has sparked widespread criticism, as the potential fare increase for certain people would only discourage them from using public transportation, exacerbating the city’s already severe congestion.

Currently, the Commuter Line fare is evenly subsidized by what is called a public service obligation (PSO) funding from the state budget. All passengers now pay Rp 3,000 (19 US cents) for the first 25 kilometers of their trip and Rp 1,000 for every additional 10 km, with the fare capped at Rp 13,000 per trip. 

With its relatively low cost, the mode of transportation is favored by many; it helps transport nearly 800,000 passengers within Jakarta and across neighboring cities of Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang in a day.

The costs, however, could potentially change in the near future as the government plans to impose a new fare scheme where passengers would pay differently according to their income. 

The 2025 draft state budget notes a 0.9 percent increase of PSO funding for state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) to reach Rp 7.96 trillion, part of which is allocated to “improve” the subsidized fare scheme in order for it to be “more targeted”.

Under the new scheme, certain classes of passengers would not receive the subsidies and consequently become subject to fare increases. Some commuters have expressed their objection to the plan, saying the potential price hike would only put more burden on their finances.

Morning Brief

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day's most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

Sri Hastuti, a 40-year-old teacher at SMK Pandawa Budi Luhur vocational high school in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, is among the many dependent on the Commuter Line to get to work. 

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Greater-Jakarta commuters wary of govt’s plan of income-based fares

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

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!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.