DKI Provincial Government Still Reviewing Transjakarta Fare Increase with a Subsidy Burden of Rp3.7 Trillion Per Year 

ANTARA FOTO/Sulthony Hasanuddin/wpa.

JAKARTA - The discussion of increasing the Transjakarta tariff has resurfaced. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government admitted that the study was being carried out, amid the increasing subsidy burden and the tariff which has not changed for more than two decades.

The Special Staff of the Governor of DKI Jakarta for Social Communication, Chico Hakim, emphasized that the study conducted by the operator was a natural thing in maintaining the sustainability of services.

"There is no decision to increase tariffs in 2026. The priority remains to maintain quality services with efficient subsidies. Currently, the Transjakarta subsidy in the 2026 APBD is around Rp. 3.7 trillion," Chico told reporters, Tuesday, April 28.

Chico explained that the current Transjakarta tariff of Rp3,500 has been pegged since 2005 and has not changed. Meanwhile, operating costs continue to rise, ranging from inflation, energy prices, to fleet maintenance and service expansion.

Although there is no official decision, fiscal pressure due to subsidies is a concern. Currently, ticket revenue only covers a small portion of Transjakarta's operating costs.

"Cost recovery is only around 14 percent or (ticket revenue covers only 14 percent of operating costs. The rest is covered by the APBD from community taxes," said Chico.

This means that every passenger journey is still heavily dependent on regional government subsidies. Where, the subsidy per passenger reaches Rp9,000 to Rp10,000 per trip.

On the other hand, changes in economic conditions are also a consideration. The Jakarta provincial minimum wage (UMP) is said to have jumped significantly since the last tariff was set.

"UMP Jakarta has increased almost 7 times since 2005 from around Rp800 thousand to Rp5.73 million in 2026, while the tariff is still flat," explained Chico.

With the number of passengers continuing to increase, even setting a record of 413 million in 2025, as well as an increasingly wide fleet and routes, operational burdens are also pushed up. Chico emphasized that TransJakarta's position remains as a subsidized public service, not a pure business entity.

"Transjakarta is a public service obligation to reduce congestion and pollution, not just a business. We continue to hear the aspirations of the people and every decision will be communicated openly," he added.