Today, commuters in Greater Jakarta rely heavily on public transportation. All governments in Greater Jakarta should note that a drop in public interest in using public transit could have serious effects. If people’s interest in using public transportation declines, more people might choose to drive their own vehicles, worsening Jabodetabek’s already congested traffic. This would result in longer travel times, more use of fossil fuels, and increased strain on the road system. To push usage of public transportation and accommodate commuters, all governments in Greater Jakarta must provide comfort first/last mile to them.
According to data from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (Badan Pusat Statistik, BPS), as of October 2023, there are approximately 3.6 million commuter workers in the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) areas. The total number of commuter workers in these Greater Jakarta amounts to approximately 2,078,000 individuals.
It is important to take into account the tendency of people to value convenience and quickness when using public transit. Helpful tactics for public transit, like feeder services and parking lots, are still important problems in practice that require attention. The public finds it uncomfortable to use public transit as a result.
In 2020, Yos Sunitiyoso, a researcher at the School of Business and Management at the Bandung Institute of Technology (SBM ITB) in Jakarta, conducted a survey that found that online motorcycle taxis are a common option for 5,064 respondents who use public transportation to get from their starting point (first mile) to public transportation locations. With 24.7 percent of respondents preferring this mode, it is the second most popular alternative after riding on a private motorcycle (31.6 percent). Respondents also use online motorcycle taxis for trips from public transportation to their ultimate destination, or the “last mile.” Walking accounts for 52.1 percent of last-mile mobility. Other options are microtrans (11.5 percent) and online motorbike taxis (32.6 percent). This condition is very understandable because at that time online motorcycle taxis platforms gave the customer a big discount for their services.
Now that time has passed the discount is not as big as in the past. Right now from one trip, customers have to pay around 15,000 rupiah. This is caused by a big amount for just the first/last mile that they have to pay. The commuters now shift their choices to use angkot (public minivans) or back to drive their own vehicles.
According to Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), in Indonesian cities, angkot (public minivans) have historically been a local mass transportation option relied upon by city residents. Unfortunately, in Indonesia, angkot are often poorly managed and frequently overlooked in the development of mass transportation systems. Yet, if properly utilized, angkot could become a preferred mode of transportation for residents, offering a concept close to “door-to-door” service.To improve the situation, governments in Greater Jakarta should focus on enhancing the management and integration of angkot into the broader transportation system. First, implementing a standardized management system for angkot can ensure better reliability, safety, and coverage, making them a more attractive option for commuters. Second, investing in infrastructure for feeder services and park-and-ride facilities can ease the transition between different modes of public transport, thereby reducing reliance on private vehicles. By prioritizing these measures, Greater Jakarta can enhance public transit usage, alleviate traffic congestion, and provide commuters with more efficient and cost-effective transportation options.
Arief C Nugraha
