DKI DPRD Values Very High Transportation Subsidy In Jakarta, Assessing Transjakarta Tariff Increase

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Nova Harivan Paloh, revealed that his party currently assesses that the nominal value of the broadcast service obligation (PSO) financed by the Jakarta APBD is very large.

Every year, the DKI Provincial Government must allocate a transportation subsidy budget of up to IDR 6 trillion for Transjakarta services, MRT Jakarta, and LRT Jakarta.

"We can say together that there is a very high value from our ABBD, approximately IDR 6 trillion every year," Nova told reporters, Wednesday, October 8.

He said Transjakarta services were the largest absorber of PSO with subsidy burdens reaching IDR 4.2 trillion per year to serve an average of 1.3 million passengers per day.

"Indeed, from 2005 the tariff was Rp. 3500, until now it has never increased. The highest is our subsidy in TransJakarta," said Nova.

Not to mention, currently the DKI Provincial Government fully bears free transportation services to 15 groups of people, according to the decision of the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung.

Therefore, Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD assesses that it is time for the DKI Provincial Government to finalize a study of the plan to increase public transportation rates, especially on Transjakarta services.

With a note, if there is an increase, the transportation service tariff policy must be decided to be careful so as not to burden users of public transportation, the majority of whom are middle to lower workers.

According to him, an increase in tariffs cannot be done without a survey of residents' abilities and a comprehensive economic study.

"We'll see first regarding, for example, studies, with this example, there must be a more in-depth study. What kind of community surveys are the capabilities of the community," explained Nova.

Furthermore, Nova also reminded the importance of evaluating PSO to be right on target and efficient. Commission B encourages transparency of operating costs from transportation BUMDs, including plans to increase non-farebox revenues such as advertising, commercial cooperation, and bus stop asset management.

"There are costs that may not have been submitted to us so far. This in the future must be more transparent," he said.