The increase in Transjakarta fares is still being studied by involving the community

The increase in Transjakarta fares is still being carefully studied in order to find the right formulation.

KOMPAS/ATIEK ISHLAHIYAH AL HAMASY

Transjakarta passengers wait at the GBK bus stop, Monday (5/2/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is still reviewing plans to increase Transjakarta fares. One of them is by absorbing the voices of users or the public, as well as input about the service.

A year ago, through its official social media account, Transjakarta announced a proposal to adjust the fare from the Jakarta City Transportation Council (DTKJ) to Rp 4,000 and Rp 5,000 during peak hours (from 7:01 to 10:00 a.m. and from 4:01 to 9:00 p.m.). Currently, the Transjakarta fare is still Rp 3,500 for all routes since 2007.

The announcement of the proposed tariff increase is accompanied by an online survey by scanning the quick response code or QR code listed or the link in the announcement. The survey to find out the public's response will take place from 10-13 April 2023.

Also read: Two Decades of Transjakarta Building Intermodal Integration

DTKJ Chairman Haris Muhammadun stated on Friday (19/4/2024) that the proposed adjustment of Transjakarta tariffs is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of this transportation service, based on a directive letter dated June 5, 2020, and a proposal from the Jakarta Transportation Agency on July 21, 2020. Both recommended an increase in subsidized Transjakarta service tariffs.

In a response letter dated December 23, 2020, DTKJ acknowledged the absence of a review and adjustment of Transjakarta tariffs. However, tariff adjustments can only be made as early as 2021, taking into account the Covid-19 pandemic situation and the community's conditions.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

Transjakarta bus passengers wait for the arrival of the fleet at the Taman Kota Transjakarta Bus Stop, West Jakarta, Tuesday (2/4/2024).

Three years later, DTKJ wrote to the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono on March 27, 2023. The content was that tariff adjustments could be made after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Tariff adjustments must also start with good socialization. "Public input regarding Transjakarta services is also important," he said.

The tariff increase takes into account ability to pay or the ability to pay and willingness to pay or the user's willingness to pay in return for the services they receive in the 2021 survey by PT Jaklingko Indonesia and KPMG consultants.

The survey results show, among other things, that on average, out of 3,073 respondents in the low-income group with incomes between IDR 0 to IDR 3 million, they are capable and willing to pay IDR 5,175 for urban services and IDR 11,425 for suburban services with an average travel time of 20.7 minutes and 45.7 minutes.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

The Transjakarta fleet stopped at the Taman Kota Transjakarta Bus Stop on Jalan Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, Tuesday (2/4/2024).

Survey

Apart from sending a letter to the Acting Governor, DTKJ also conducted a survey regarding the evaluation of Transjakarta fares for 2023. There were 1,204 respondents in the survey.

As a result, 41.1 percent of respondents earned less than IDR 3.5 million, 32.5 percent IDR 3.5 million to IDR 7 million, 15 percent IDR 7 million to IDR 13 million, and the remainder more than IDR 13 million. They incur costs public transportation starting from 67.4 percent less than IDR 500,000, 19.3 percent IDR 500,000 to IDR 1 million, 7.1 percent do not use public transportation, and the rest more than IDR 1 million.

Furthermore, in the survey, monthly expenditures for other modes of transportation (such as fuel, parking, taxis, and motorcycle taxis) amounted to 48.2 percent spending less than IDR 500,000, 25.6 percent spending IDR 500,000 to IDR 1 million, 16.4 percent not using personal vehicles, and the rest spending over IDR 1 million.

Also read: Transjakarta Adds 200 Electric Buses in 2024

Specifically, the daily expenditure increase for Transjakarta reaches 58.2 percent with fares ranging from Rp 3,500 to Rp 7,000, 23.8 percent with fares ranging from Rp 7,000 to Rp 10,000, 8.8 percent more than Rp 10,000, and the remaining 9.1 percent less than Rp 3,500.

Next, respondents were given the option to take Transjakarta with a travel time of 30 minutes, a fare of Rp 5,000, and a waiting time of 5 minutes. As a result, 46.14 percent chose BRT, 36.60 percent chose KRL, 9.80 percent chose Jakarta MRT, 6.71 percent chose motorcycles, and 0.74 percent chose cars.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

People passing by at the Dukuh Atas Transjakarta Bus Stop, Jakarta, Monday (18/3/2024).

Similarly, with the option to take a 40-minute microtrans ride at a fare of Rp 1,000 and a waiting time of 10 minutes. 27.52% chose microlet, 62.87% chose air-conditioned microlet, and 9.61% chose a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, for the integration between Jaklingko's transportation modes with a travel time of 60 minutes, a fare of Rp 10,000, and a waiting time of 10 minutes, it is noted that 51.88 percent choose TransJakarta, 45.10 percent choose motorcycles, and 3.02 percent choose cars.

Meanwhile, a similar offer for BRT users with integrated tariffs for 3 hours resulted in 85.26% choosing integrated services, 11.49% choosing motorcycles, and 3.24% choosing cars.

In the survey, respondents also gave their aspirations and input for Transjakarta. The majority, 44 percent, wanted an improvement or enhancement of Transjakarta services, microtrans, Jaklingko, and integrated BRT. The remaining 29 percent were concerned with facilities, 13 percent with infrastructure, and 7 percent each related to information technology and human resources.

Respondents also answered their willingness to pay for a single Transjakarta journey. Those with an income above Rp 3.5 million are willing to pay Rp 7,916, those with an income of Rp 3.5 million to Rp 7 million are willing to pay Rp 9,178, those with an income of Rp 7 million to Rp 13 million are willing to pay Rp 21,073, those with an income of Rp 13 million to Rp 20 million are willing to pay Rp 43,488, and those with an income above Rp 20 million are willing to pay Rp 74,085.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Passengers wait for the arrival of the Transjakarta bus at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout Bus Stop, Jakarta, Saturday (13/4/2024).

Regarding the integrated Jaklingko tariff, a similar question was responded to with a willingness to pay sequential amounts of Rp 8,082, Rp 10,255, Rp 19,488, Rp 49,616, and Rp 79,187.

DTKJ also considers marginal effects and elasticity. Every increase in fare by IDR 1,000 will result in a decrease of 1.87 percent of Transjakarta passengers, and a fare increase of 10 percent will reduce BRT Transjakarta users by 0.76 percent.

Then, a Rp 1,000 increase in air-conditioned mikrolet fares resulted in a 0.7% decrease in passengers, while a 10% increase reduced the number of users by 0.08%. Similarly, a Rp 1,000 increase in Jaklingko integration will decrease users by 3.64%, while a 10% increase in Transjakarta BRT will result in a 5.88% decrease in passengers.

Also read: Thousands of Homecomers Arrive Early Morning, Transjakarta Buses Prepared

Currently, the Transportation Agency of Jakarta is also reviewing the proposal for an increase in Transjakarta fares. The proposal will also be discussed with the Jakarta Regional Council (DPRD).

"There has been a proposal for a tariff increase or adjustment. We are still studying it and there will be adjustments," said Syafrin Liputo, Head of the Jakarta Transportation Agency.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Transjakarta users walk in front of a bookshelf placed at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout Bus Stop, Saturday (13/4/2024).

Needs adjustment

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Jakarta Regional Council (DPRD) Rani Mauliani believes that there needs to be an adjustment of fare increases with an improvement in services for the community. Moreover, Transjakarta is one of the transportation options widely used by the public.

"If there is an increase, it is hoped that it will still be affordable for the community," he said.

Similarly, Central Jakarta resident Devi Febiola (25) said that she agrees with a fare increase for Transjakarta as long as there are facility improvements.

Not only bus facilities, but the poorly maintained bus stops also need to be improved. Even the toilet facilities at the bus stops should not be neglected.

"Not only should the bus facilities be improved, but also the poorly maintained bus stops. Even the toilet facilities at the stops should not be left behind. I once went to a stop but the toilet was not functioning, resulting in having to hold back my bowel movement," he said.

West Jakarta resident, Muhammad Firmansyah (28), also does not object to the increase of Transjakarta fares. However, according to him, the fare increase should not be doubled.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

A peaceful election message from the Election Supervisory Agency is displayed on a Transjakarta bus on Jalan Buncit Raya, South Jakarta, Tuesday (5/12/2023).

"The increase in fares should be at least 20-30 percent. It should not be doubled from the current price. Because lower to middle-class people will definitely feel burdened. Especially if they only use Transjakarta for the shortest distance," he said.

Since 2017, Central Jakarta resident Rita Agustina (34) has chosen Transjakarta as her primary mode of transportation. The reason being, aside from its easy accessibility, the fare is also cheap. However, Rita still often sees several stops with dirty floors.

According to him, not only service and route expansion need to be improved, but cleanliness also needs to be prioritized before any fare increases.

In addition, the frequency and number of buses, according to Rita's assessment, often do not meet passengers' expectations. Many passengers crowd the bus stops while waiting for long-delayed buses.