Non-Subsidized Fuel Increases, DPR Urges Government to Improve Public Transportation Facilities

ILLUSTRATION DOK BETWEEN HO PERTAMINA

Member of Commission V of the House of Representatives, Irmawan, urged the government to immediately carry out a thorough repair of public transportation services following the policy of increasing the price of non-subsidized fuel oil (BBM) as of April 18.

According to him, the surge in energy prices must be balanced with the availability of quality, affordable, and comfortable public transportation modes as an alternative to public mobility.

"The increase in fuel prices must be accompanied by concrete government efforts to improve public transportation," Irmawan told reporters, Monday, April 20.

Irmawan also reminded that without improving transportation services, the increase in fuel prices would trigger a domino effect that would suppress people's purchasing power due to the swelling of transportation and logistics costs.

He assessed that improving the public transportation system was a strategic step to reduce inflation and reduce dependence on private vehicles.

"People need a mobility option that is more cost- and energy-efficient. So far, the problems of congestion and inconvenience have not been resolved," he said.

The PKB legislator from the Aceh District said that public enthusiasm for using public transportation was quite high. This is evidenced by the achievement of 112 million passengers in Jakarta throughout the first quarter of 2026.

However, according to Irmawan, the high volume of users has not been accompanied by adequate quality of facilities. He also criticized the still existence of inadequate supporting infrastructure, such as a bus stop that leaks when it rains and inhumane density in commuter lines.

"For example, the Pancoran stop which is connected to the LRT Station; when it rains, the roof leaks, passengers get wet. In addition to the rush on the commuter line. This shows that the improvement of our facilities and infrastructure is not even and does not guarantee comfort," he said.

Irmawan emphasized that transportation improvement should not be limited to physical development, but must include comfort, safety, and more seamless intermodal integration.

He is optimistic that if the government is serious about making thorough improvements, public interest in switching from private vehicles will increase significantly, which in the end can reduce national fuel consumption nationwide.

"If our public transportation gets better, people will no longer be forced to rely on private vehicles. The impact is not only reducing congestion, but also maintaining the stability of the community's economy in the midst of energy price fluctuations," he concluded.