Anies Baswedan Shows Jakarta Congestion Declines, But Observers Say It's Because Of The Pandemic

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan showed that the level of congestion in Jakarta has decreased over the past five years. This is based on the results of a TomYom survey which states that in 2021 Jakarta will be ranked 46th out of 404 most congested cities in the world.

Anies claimed that the reduction in congestion was due to the transformation of the transportation system that he had carried out while leading the capital city. The problem is, is that true?

Transportation observer from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), Djoko Setijowarno, views that the decline in Jakarta's congestion rate is more influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world, including Jakarta.

"In the last two years, community activities outside the home have decreased. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people work at home (WFH), students and students study online," Djoko told VOI, Wednesday, March 2.

When more people are active at home, the volume of private vehicles crossing Jakarta and public transport passengers will automatically decrease.

Djoko explained the data that the Jabodetabek KRL passengers which were originally 1.1 million people decreased by a maximum of 400 thousand per day. In fact, once under 300 thousand per day.

"During the pandemic, the operational hours of Transjakarta, MRT Jakarta, Jakarta LRT, and KRL are also reduced. The number of bus and train fleets has also decreased," said Djoko.

However, Djoko also appreciated Anies' steps to integrate transportation services. "It must also be appreciated, the network of public transportation services is increasing with the existence of Jak Lingko," he continued.

Previously, Anies explained that the level of congestion in Jakarta has decreased since 2017 based on a survey released by navigation company, TomTom Traffic Index.

In 2017, Jakarta was ranked as the 4th most congested city in the world. Until finally in 2021, Jakarta was out of the top 10 most congested cities and was ranked 46th.

"We are grateful, since our transformation took place, our ranking in the most densely populated city in 2017 we were number 4. In 2018 we dropped to number 7. In 2019 we dropped to number 10. We are still in the top 10. We don't like being in the top 10 , we like to be eliminated," said Anies in the online discussion 'Jakarta E-Mobility Event Day 1' on the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government Youtube show.

"In 2020, we are ranked 31st worldwide. And in 2021 we are down to number 46. So imagine in five years with a decline from the fourth most populous city in the world," he continued.