October 28, 2026
ITDP Indonesia Discusses Public Transport Integration at Urban Transport Discussion #32: One Journey, Multiple Authorities
Developing public transport services in Greater Jakarta requires more than expanding routes and building infrastructure. Connecting journeys across administrative boundaries also requires institutional integration that aligns authorities, funding, and the division of responsibilities among local governments.
This issue was discussed at Urban Transport Discussion #32: One Journey, Multiple Authorities, held with support from ViriyaENB as part of CLEAR Jabodetabek on Tuesday (27 October). The discussion featured Taufiq Hidayat Putra, Director of Partnerships and Development Integration at the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas); Suharini Eliawati, Assistant to the Regional Secretary for Economic and Financial Affairs of DKI Jakarta; Deliani Siregar, Deputy Director of ITDP Indonesia; and Pradamas Giffary, an urban planning activist from Stravenues.
The event opened with remarks from Gonggomtua Sitanggang, ITDP Southeast Asia Director, followed by an introduction to the CLEAR Jabodetabek program by Rahmad Wandi Putra, Senior Transport Associate at ITDP Indonesia.
“Over the past year, we have focused on how to allocate authority, establish cooperation in asset management, and develop funding and financing mechanisms for cross-regional transport,” said Gonggomtua. “Through this discussion, we hope to gain perspectives from the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, and civil society groups.”
In his presentation, Rahmad noted that in 2023, 78% of areas in Jakarta were within a 500-meter radius of a public transport stop, compared with only around 2% in the surrounding Bodetabek region. The CLEAR study, initiated in 2023, identified four key challenges: (1) the absence of a cross-regional institution with sufficient authority to coordinate services; (2) unclear funding schemes and cost-sharing arrangements among local governments; (3) fragmented asset ownership and barriers to using assets outside their respective administrative boundaries; and (4) the need to strengthen the capacity of regional public transport operators.
In his presentation, Rahmad noted that in 2023, 78% of areas in Jakarta were within a 500-meter radius of a public transport stop, compared with only around 2% in the surrounding Bodetabek region. The CLEAR study, initiated in 2023, identified four key challenges: (1) the absence of a cross-regional institution with sufficient authority to coordinate services; (2) unclear funding schemes and cost-sharing arrangements among local governments; (3) fragmented asset ownership and barriers to using assets outside their respective administrative boundaries; and (4) the need to strengthen the capacity of regional public transport operators.
Integrating Public Transport Systems Requires Cross-Regional Collaboration
During the discussion, Taufiq explained that the Jakarta metropolitan area is one of ten metropolitan areas prioritized by the central government. Efforts to strengthen interregional coordination are also supported by the Master Plan for the Development of the Jakarta Metropolitan Agglomeration (RIPKA), which was developed as a derivative of Law No. 2 of 2024 on the Special Region of Jakarta Province. This planning framework also includes plans to establish an Agglomeration Area Council (Dewan Kawasan Aglomerasi or DKA).
Taufiq also highlighted the gap between service coverage and people’s travel needs. On the supply side, 93% of Jakarta’s area is already covered by public transport services. However, first- and last-mile connectivity remains insufficient to fully meet people’s travel needs. He therefore emphasized the importance of feeder services supported by local governments to help people access public transport.
In addition to feeder services, the provision of park-and-ride facilities could also encourage people to shift from private vehicles to public transport. These efforts are increasingly important, given that transport expenses can account for nearly 30% of people’s daily income.
From ITDP Indonesia’s perspective, Deliani explained that integration challenges are not limited to infrastructure, but also include budget constraints, the legal framework for interregional cooperation, and unclear divisions of responsibilities among stakeholders. She cited the Transjakarta D41 route as an example. When the service first began operating in Depok, bus stops and supporting facilities in the area were inadequate to ensure passenger safety, security, and comfort, particularly for women.
Meanwhile, Suharini outlined various initiatives by the Jakarta Provincial Government to develop public transport services, ranging from IDR 4.9 trillion in transport subsidies to Transjabodetabek fare policies and plans to strengthen intermodal integration. However, expanding services to surrounding areas requires support from local governments in those areas, particularly in providing supporting facilities and funding.
Pradamas added that mobility integration needs to go hand in hand with spatial and residential planning. Public transport development must be supported by the planning of areas around transit hubs and the provision of feeder services that meet service standards. In this regard, Jakarta’s experience in developing Mikrotrans services could serve as a reference for discussing feeder service standards in surrounding areas.
Advancing Institutional Models and Joint Financing
One alternative discussed was the Joint Service Agency (Badan Layanan Bersama or BLB), a model for managing public transport services across administrative boundaries. Deliani explained that this approach could be considered a solution during the transition toward a more integrated governance framework.
Beyond supporting cross-regional service management, this model could create opportunities for collaborative financing and infrastructure development, including through concession arrangements and innovative financing mechanisms. This would allow service development needs to be supported not only by the budgetary capacity of individual local governments, but also through joint financing mechanisms.
Through this discussion, ITDP Indonesia gathered input to strengthen its recommendations on institutional arrangements, funding, and the division of responsibilities among local governments. Key areas requiring attention include clarifying responsibility for public transport funding, improving first- and last-mile connectivity, and strengthening cooperation in the provision of cross-regional facilities and services.
Ultimately, institutional integration must ensure that people’s journeys are not hindered by administrative boundaries. With stronger coordination, clearly defined responsibilities, and adequate funding support, public transport development across Greater Jakarta can move toward a more connected, safe, comfortable, and accessible system for everyone.