12 POPULAR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN JAKARTA

Public transportation in Jakarta has undergone drastic changes in recent years. One of them is the modern transportation system that many Indonesians, especially those who live in Jakarta and its surroundings, have dreamed of for a long time.

I also started to use public transportation in Jakarta to get around Jakarta and its surroundings. Besides being safe, it is also convenient because it is integrated into several regions. And there are many public transportations in Jakarta today. All of them can be enjoyed by all Indonesian citizens who live in Jakarta and its surroundings.

12 Popular Public Transportation in Jakarta

1. KRL Commuter (Commuter Jabodetabek)

Do you feel confused about what to do after a night out in Jakarta? It's safe. There is a KRL that operates until midnight. KRL is a kind of public transportation in Jakarta that is in demand by residents of Jakarta, and its surroundings are KRL because it has the most capacity or passenger capacity. 

This modern public transportation is operated by PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KAI Commuter), a PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) subsidiary. 

• Fare: 1-25 KM Rp3,000.00, the next 10 KM add Rp.1,000.00.
• Payment System: Cashless
• Operating Hours: 03.00 - 23.59 WIB Time Zone.
• Electronic Money: KRL Commuter Line Card. Multi Trip Card (KMT) or Daily Running Ticket (THB) for one trip only, so when arriving at the destination, this THB card can no longer be used: Bank Electronic Money Cards. Brizzi from BRI, Tapcash from BNI, E-Money from Mandiri, Flazz from BCA, Gojek application, and KRL Commuter Line's C-Access application.

For more details, KRL Commuter Line customers can access the C-Access application to find out KRL fares, schedules, and routes.

2. MRT (Mass Rapid Transportation)

MRT or Moda Raya Terpadu in Indonesia, is one of the modern public transportation options for the citizens of Jakarta and its surroundings. The MRT began operating in March 2019, and its presence helped unravel the congestion of the capital city of Jakarta and several surrounding cities. The MRT, which B.J. Habibie previously initiated, is under the auspices of PT Mass Rapid Transit Jakarta (PT MRT Jakarta) and is owned by the DKI Jakarta Provincial government.

• Fare:  Lowest Rp4,000 and Furthest Rp14,000
• Payment System: Cashless
• Operating Hours: 05.00 - 23.27 WIB Time Zone
• Electronic Money: MRT Owned Cards. Single Trip Card (one-way card) and Multi-Trip Card (can be used multiple times by topping up the balance); Bank Electronic Money Cards. Brizzi from BRI, Tapcash from BNI, E-Money from Mandiri, Flazz from BCA, and Jakcard from Bank DKI; JakLingko Card: Multipurpose Card for Public Transportation payment in Jakarta (Transjakarta, MikroTrans, and MRT Jakarta); Gojek application; MRT Jakarta application. Payment can use AstraPay, i.saku, and Blu BCA Digital

The current route is only available from Bundaran HI, to Lebak Bulus and vice versa. Furthermore, the North-South route, namely the Sudirman to Ancol route, will be built. Likewise, the East-West route will be developed in the future.

3. LRT (Light Rail Transit)

Lintas Rel Terpadu (LRT) or Lintas Raya Terpadu in Indonesia is one of the kinds of public transportation in Jakarta that began official operations in September 2023. It was developed by the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta and operated by PT LRT Jakarta, a subsidiary of PT Jakarta Propertindo (Perseroda). It currently serves six stations and has a route available from Kelapa Gading to Velodrome.

• Fare:  Lowest Rp5,000 and Furthest Rp20,000.
• Payment System: Cashless.
• Operating Hours: 05.00 - 23.30 WIB Time Zone
• Electronic Money: LRT Owned Card. Single Journey Trip; Bank Electronic Money Card. Brizzi from BRI, Tapcash from BNI, E-Money from Mandiri, Flazz from BCA, and Jakcard from Bank DKI; JakLingko Card: Multipurpose Card for Public Transportation payment in Jakarta (Transjakarta, MicroTrans, and MRT Jakarta); KAI Commuter Multi-Trip Card; Scan QRIS; Link Aja; KAI PAY.

The transportation project that cost the state budget 32. 6 trillion has a length of 41.2 km which is divided into two routes, namely the Cibubur / Depok route is Dukuh Atas LRT Station, Setiabudi LRT Station, Rasuna Said LRT Station, Kuningan LRT Station, Pancoran LRT Station, Cikoko LRT Station, Ciliwung LRT Station, Cawang LRT Station, TMII LRT Station, Kampung Rambutan LRT Station, Ciracas LRT Station, Harjamukti LRT Station.

And Bekasi routes is Dukuh Atas LRT Station, Setiabudi LRT Station, Rasuna Said LRT Station, Kuningan LRT Station, Pancoran LRT Station, Cikoko LRT Station, Ciliwung LRT Station, Cawang LRT Station, Halim LRT Station, Jatibening Baru LRT Station, Cikunir 1 LRT Station, Cikunir 2 LRT Station, West Bekasi LRT Station, Jati Mulya LRT Station.

4. Bus Transjakarta

Transjakarta, often called Tije or busway, is a Regionally Owned Enterprise (BUMD) that operates under PT Transportasi Jakarta (Perseroda). It is still in the same group as the Free Bus, Bus Wanita. Tije is a bus with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) transportation system that was first present in Southeast and South Asia. 

This modern public transportation began operating in Jakarta in 2004. It uses the Transmilenio system design, which is also used in Colombia. Currently, Tije has 13 corridors with various destinations. 

In addition to the BRT type of transportation, there is also non-BRT. The difference is only the corridor's location, where non-BRT has a broader range of locations than BRT.

• Operating Hours: 05.00 - 22.00 WIB Time Zone (Regular), 22.00 - 05.00 WIB Time Zone (Amari - Night Transportation)
• Payment System: Cashless
• Fare: IDR 2,000.00 (05.00-07.00 WIB), IDR 3,500.00 (07.00 - 05.00 WIB).
• Electronic Money: Bank Electronic Money Cards such as BRI (Brizzi), BNI (Tapcash, Kartu Aku, and Rail Card), Mandiri (E-Money, E-Toll Card, Indomaret Card and GazCard), Bank DKI (JakCard) and Bank Mega (MegaCash); Tije App.

Want to hunt at Sunda Kelapa Harbor? Don't worry, TransJakarta Bus can go there, but later, you have to transit at several stops.

5. Jaklingko or Mikrotrans

Like Transjakarta, Jaklingko or Mikrotrans operates under PT Transportasi Jakarta (Perseroda). The shape is not a bus but more similar to a Mikrolet. Payment is cashless, and passengers who board can only get off at designated places. The route is the same as Mikrolet and Koperasi Wahana Kalpika (KWK) angkot (small public transportation, usually used only in the city), but all are integrated with Tije.

• Operating Hours: 05.00 - 24.00 WIB Time Zone
• Payment System: Cashless
• Fare: Rp0.00 (Free).
• Electronic Money: Bank Electronic Money Card. Brizzi from BRI, Tapcash from BNI, E-Money from Mandiri, Flazz from BCA, and Jaklingko Card.

7. Online Motorcycle Taxi (Ojek Online)

Unlike the previous six kinds of public transportation managed by the government, Ojek Online is controlled by private companies. The services provided are also more focused on individuals. However, its presence benefits Jakarta residents and its surroundings, especially for office employees in Jakarta. Ojek Online has been present in Jakarta since the 2010s. 

This mode of transportation can only be used when the application is installed. Then, order it in real-time. The payment system uses cashless payment with e-wallets or even cash payments. You can use online ojek services 24 hours, 7 days a day in Jakarta.

8. Online Taxi

In addition to online motorcycle taxis in the form of two-wheeled vehicles, there is also public transportation in Jakarta in the form of four-wheeled vehicles. These online taxis can be private vehicles or public taxis that were originally offline and then collaborated with start-up companies in the transportation sector.

The rates charged vary depending on the company. Like online motorcycle taxis, customers can order online taxis 24 hours a day. The same payment system can be used cashless in the form of e-wallets or cash.

9. Royaltrans

Royaltrans is a type of public transportation in Jakarta that has premium fares. Unlike other buses, this bus is equipped with wide foam seats, reclining seats, and USB ports. It is also equipped with 12 CCTV cameras for the inside and outside of the bus, as well as luggage. Are you curious to try this premium bus?

Currently, Royaltrans serves Route S12 BSD Serpong - Fatmawati, Route S31 Bintaro - Fatmawati, Route D32 Cinere - Senayan Roundabout, Route 6P Cibubur - Kuningan, and Route 1K Cibubur - Blok M. 

• Operating Hours: 06.15 - 19.50 WIB Time Zone (each route is different).
• Payment System: Cashless.
• Fare: Rp20,000.00 (flat all routes).
• Electronic Money: Bank Electronic Money Card. Brizzi from BRI, Tapcash from BNI, E-Money from Mandiri, Flazz from BCA.

10. Bus Gratis

The following kind of public transportation in Jakarta is the Bus Gratis. Many people are still unaware of this kind of public transportation, which focuses on travelling or tourist purposes around Jakarta. The Bus Gratis is under PT Transportasi Jakarta (Perseroda), Jakarta's Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD).

This bus began operating after the elimination of the three-in-one lane, one of which is Jalan Sudirman. Transjakarta provides Bus Gratis to mobilize passengers from Senayan Roundabout to Harmoni Bus Stop. Currently, the Free Buses that operate are GR1, which is the Bunderan Senayan Harmoni route, and GR2, which is the Tanah Abang Explorer route.

This bus can be enjoyed by everyone who wants to get around Jakarta or even people who work in Jakarta and its surroundings.

• Operating Hours: 05.00 - 22.00 WIB (GR1), 05.00 - 15.00 WIB Time Zone (GR2).
• Payment System: -
• Tariff: Rp0.00 (Free).
• Electronic Money: -

11. Bus Wanita

Now, who doesn't know about this Bus Wanita? Yap, from the name alone, it is clear that this bus is specifically for women. This bus was first launched on April 21, 2016, by PT Transportasi Jakarta (Perseroda). Bus Wanita is still one company with the Free Bus. 

Because it is specifically for women, this bus is designed in pink, a typical colour for women. The purpose of launching this female bus is to provide a sense of comfort for women who ride Transjakarta.

At the beginning of its launch, this bus only consisted of 2 buses. On October 19, 2016, Transjakarta added a fleet of 10 female buses and operated various routes. 

In February 2023, an additional 20 fleets will be operated in stages. Wow, that's a lot. So, for those of you who want to feel safe when riding the busway, you can just take the modern public transportation mode of the Women's Bus.

12. #JakartaExplorer Bus Tour

#JakartaExplorer Bus Tour, also known as the Jakarta Explorer Bus, is still one group with a Free Bus, Women's Bus, and Transjakarta Bus, which is under the management of PT Transportasi Jakarta (Perseroda). The #JakartaExplorer Bus Tour only serves specific routes. It is used only for tourist purposes, namely, to get around Jakarta for free for all citizens of the capital city. Those of you who want to visit the Bank Indonesia Museum can take this Jakarta Tourist Bus.

Currently, the #JakartaExplorer Tourist Bus has 22 double-decker buses with seven tourist routes. This bus will travel around Jakarta by exploring several icons and landmarks of Jakarta with the BW1 route of History of Jakarta, the BW2 route of New Jakarta (Jakarta Modern), the BW3 route of Art and Culinary, BW4 route of Jakarta Skyscrapers, BW5 route of Open Space, BW6 route of Jakarta Heritage, and BW7 route of Jakarta Shopping.

The bus is designed with audio that will help explain the tourist sites we pass. It is also equipped with a Bus Attendant (OnBoard), who can answer questions about the tourist attractions we pass.

This is perfect for those who want to explore the city of Jakarta with the people closest to them. But don't forget to check the route and operating time first because each #JakartaExplorer Bus Tour has different operating hours.

• Operating Hours: 09.00 - 19.00 WIB Time Zone (Each route is different)
• Payment System: -
• Fare: Rp0.00 (Free)
• Electronic Money: -

The presence of public transportation in Jakarta helps the earth become better. Using them for daily activities means we have supported the implementation of renewable energy programs. 

Those are some kinds of public transportation in Jakarta. Currently, the public transportation system in Jakarta is very comfortable and safe. It can be used to get around Jakarta for tourism or daily activities such as work. Have you ever tried any of the above transportation modes? Or have you tried them all? It's okay to share in the comments below.