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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Energy & Infrastructure

Jakarta governor to offer five days of free transport, tourism for city's 500th anniversary

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Jakarta's Governor Pramono Anung plans to offer five days of free public transport and tourist attractions for the city's 500th anniversary.
  • This follows a successful three-day free service for the 499th anniversary, which broke visitor records.
  • The initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion and emissions while boosting tourism.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung announced plans to offer five days of free public transportation and access to city-managed tourist sites to celebrate the Indonesian capital's 500th anniversary next year. This initiative aims to replicate and expand upon the success of a similar three-day program implemented for the city's 499th anniversary.

If other regions raise taxes, we, when people are looking for taxes, give tax incentives. For example, when Eid al-Fitr, New Year, and even when Jakarta had its birthday, I waived transportation fares for three days. What happened? All the places we eased or made free broke records.

— Pramono AnungThe Governor explained the rationale behind offering free services, citing increased visitor numbers and public enjoyment.

During the recent three-day free service in June 2026, which marked the 499th anniversary, several attractions saw record-breaking visitor numbers. The Ragunan Wildlife Park recorded 135,500 visitors in a single day, surpassing its previous record of around 110,000. Ancol, the National Monument (Monas), and various museums also experienced significant increases in attendance, with some museums drawing up to 30,000 visitors daily.

"If other regions raise taxes, we, when people are looking for taxes, give tax incentives," Governor Anung stated, referring to the free services provided during holidays like Eid al-Fitr, New Year, and Jakarta's anniversary. He believes these incentives encourage residents to utilize public transport and visit tourist destinations, leading to increased economic activity and public satisfaction.

It has never happened before, because so far it has only been around 110 thousand people.

— Pramono AnungThe Governor commented on the record-breaking attendance at Ragunan Wildlife Park during the free service period.

The free transport and tourism initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat traffic congestion and reduce gas emissions in Jakarta. The provincial government also mandates civil servants to use public transport every Wednesday, a policy formalized in Governor's Instruction No. 6 of 2025, to further promote sustainable commuting and alleviate the city's notorious traffic problems.

Each museum was visited by up to 30 thousand people. Museums can be visited by 30 thousand people in one day, that's extraordinary.

— Pramono AnungThe Governor highlighted the significant increase in museum visitors during the free tourism initiative.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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