JAKARTA - Indonesia's dependence on fuel in the transportation sector is considered too deep. Academician of the Civil Engineering Prodi Unika Soegijapranata and also the Indonesian Transportation Community Advisory Council (MTI), Djoko Setijowarno, assessed that improving public transportation must be the main step if the government is serious about pursuing energy independence.
Djoko referred to data from the Indonesian Energy and Economic Statistics Handbook 2024 from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. National fuel consumption continues to rise after the pandemic, from 69,766 thousand kiloliters in 2021 to 82,319 thousand kiloliters in 2024. Of that amount, the transportation sector absorbs 91.2 percent or 75,098 thousand kiloliters.
According to Djoko, the problem is not only in the amount of consumption, but also in who enjoys subsidized fuel. "As much as 93 percent of the distribution of subsidized fuel in land transportation is used by private vehicles, while public transportation is only about 3 percent, even smaller now," said Djoko in a written statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 22.
He assessed that the condition showed that the direction of energy policy was still unbalanced. In the midst of President Prabowo Subianto's target to reduce fuel imports through electrification, Djoko reminded that improvements would not mean much if the roads were still dominated by private vehicles. "If the government is serious about energy self-sufficiency, the first thing to be improved is public transportation, not to let private vehicles continue to consume fuel," he said.
Therefore, he encouraged the acceleration of migration to electric-based public transportation, especially in large cities, accompanied by intermodal integration of KRL, MRT, LRT, and feeders. He cited the Trans Metro Deli in Medan, whose entire fleet is already using electric vehicles.
Djoko also asked that energy subsidies be overhauled to be more targeted. According to him, the distribution of subsidized fuel needs to be digitized so that it is truly enjoyed by public transportation and logistics, not private vehicles. Part of the subsidy budget can also be diverted to build SPKLU, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks.
Another highlight is directed to the urban public transportation budget. Djoko assessed that the target for improving public transportation in 20 cities in the 2025-2029 RPJMN was threatened with heavy, after the budget for subsidies for land transportation services decreased from Rp582.98 billion in 2023 to a planned Rp82.6 billion in 2026. So far, only one city has been realized in 2025, namely Manado.
Djoko also asked the government to provide stronger support for the production of national electric buses developed by PT INKA together with local universities and car body industries. "Without major changes in public transportation, energy self-sufficiency will be difficult more than just a slogan," said Djoko.
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