Jakarta's free JakLingko microtrans service proposed to become paid at Rp2,000

The Jakarta Transportation Council (DTKJ) has proposed introducing a fare for the JakLingko microtrans service, which has been operating free of charge. The council suggests a Rp 2,000 fare for passengers exclusively using JakLingko and a Rp 5,000 fare for integrated travel across the Transjakarta network, including BRT and non-BRT services.

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Microtrans was actually in the past as part of a trial to see how the first mile and last mile would work. So, from home directly connected to BRT, non-BRT. Because it was a trial, it was Rp 0, but it continued.

DTKJ Chairman Sugihardjo explained that the free fare, initially part of a trial for the first and last mile connectivity, was intended to ensure easy access to public transport from homes to transit hubs. However, the trial period has extended indefinitely. He stated that the service should ideally be paid, but the proposed fares are designed to be affordable for the public.

The primary motivation behind the proposed fare is to enable accurate passenger data collection. Sugihardjo highlighted that the current free system allows for manipulation of passenger numbers, which affects the fulfillment of contractual obligations between Transjakarta and JakLingko operators, such as mileage targets and passenger counts.

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We are proposing 2,000. Now, this is indeed from not paying to paying.

"With Rp 2,000, would I still be tapping just to inflate numbers? My money would run out," Sugihardjo reasoned, suggesting that a small fare would lead to more realistic data. This initiative aims to ensure the data reflects actual usage, thereby improving the efficiency and accountability of the public transportation system.

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With Rp 2,000, would I still be tapping just to inflate numbers? My money would run out. So the data will be more real.