Public Transportation in Jakarta and Pedestrian Concept Development
The Jakarta Provincial Government is working hard to provide integrated, efficient and comfortable public transportation in Jakarta. Related to improving the quality of public transportation facilities in Jakarta, the concept of transit oriented development(TOD) is increasingly being discussed.
The development of the TOD area is one of the main keys to the success of improving public transportation facilities in Jakarta. This is because the concept of the TOD area prioritizes the interests of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation.
One of the main indicators of the success of implementing the TOD concept is the quality of pedestrian facilities. Therefore, Jakarta, which is known for not being pedestrian-friendly, is slowly being developed into a walkable city, starting from the TOD area and various other areas, such as Cikini, Kuningan, Gambir, Kota Tua, and others.
Reporting from the official website of MRT Jakarta, one of the principles applied by PT MRT Jakarta in TOD planning is the principle of mixed functions. These functions include commercial, office, institutional, residential, and public facilities, which are applied within the walking radius of each station. This principle ensures walkable distances and accessibility to objects that are ideal for Jakarta's public transportation users.
Not only in the TOD area, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is working hard to develop the pedestrian concept in various areas connected to Jakarta's public transportation.
In developing the pedestrian concept, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has also regulated the concept of active frontage in the 2022 Spatial Plan Draft (RDTR) update. Active frontage is a sustainable business or retail concept that opens directly to the sidewalk. The application is as found in Chillax and One Satrio in the South Jakarta area.
This active frontage concept is very pedestrian-friendly. But, is the accessibility to the object for pedestrians, or for Jakarta public transportation users from the bus stop or station, also pedestrian-friendly? Here are some examples of trips using Jakarta public transportation and pedestrian facilities to some popular locations in Jakarta.
Taking Jakarta's public transportation to popular hangout spots , how is the accessibility to the object?
Chillax, which is located in Sudirman, is very easy to reach by Jakarta public transportation, both TransJakarta, MRT, and KRL Commuterline. Accessibility to the object from the nearest TransJakarta stop and MRT station is very good. That can be reached on foot in less than 10 minutes. Sidewalk facilities for pedestrians in the area are also in good condition.
Then, from the nearest KRL station, accessibility to the object is also ideal, which can be reached on foot for 13 minutes. This trip from the KRL station can be an opportunity to sightseeing the city center of Jakarta.
One Satrio can also be easily reached by Jakarta public transportation, namely by TransJakarta. Accessibility to the object from the nearest bus stop is also fairly good, just walk less than 1 kilometer.
Another example of a popular destination with accessibility to objects and ideal pedestrian facilities is the Kota Tua area. The tourist destination of the Old City area can be reached by Jakarta public transportation, both KRL Commuterline, TransJakarta, and MRT Jakarta.
If you take the Commuterline KRL, the accessibility to the Kota Tua tourist attraction is practically excellent, which is only a walk of approximately 100 meters from Jakarta Kota Station. Taking TransJakarta, accessibility to the object from the Kota bus stop is also ideal, just walk about 300 meters through the tunnel to Kota Station.
If you take the Jakarta MRT, the trip to the Kota Tua area takes advantage of the integration of Jakarta's public transportation, by continuing the journey from Bundaran HI Station with TransJakarta corridor 1 to the City Stop.
After revitalization, the sidewalks in the Kota Tua area have also been overhauled and reorganized so that they are pedestrian and cyclist friendly. Quoted from Antara, the sidewalks in the Kota Tua area have been widened to 3 meters. Automatically, accessibility to objects is getting better.
Well, in addition to the examples above, accessibility to objects in various other popular areas in the capital city has improved. For example, to go to Urban Forest, Taman Ismail Marzuki, or TMII, all can be reached by Jakarta public transportation, both single and intermodal.
In addition, quoted from the official website of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Bappeda, until 2022, pedestrian paths in Jakarta have been built covering an area of 1,258,594 square meters, complete with supporting facilities. This progress has been enjoyed in various areas of Jakarta, and will further expand its benefits in 2026, where it is targeted to reach an area of 1,808,594 square meters.
The development of Jakarta's public transportation integration, TOD areas with good pedestrian quality will successfully make a number of areas in Jakarta more comfortable and easily accessible. Especially for pedestrians and users of Jakarta's public transportation.
Of course, we all hope that this development and progress can be more evenly distributed in every area in Jakarta. So, Jakarta can have a transportation system connectivity with fully supportive pedestrian facilities, like London, Singapore, New York, or Hong Kong.
Here's to a better Jakarta !