Politics · Indonesia · 1 hr ago
Jakarta considers expanding its bus operator into boat and air transport
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung wants TransJakarta, the city’s public bus operator, to expand into boat services and eventually air transport.
The proposal is part of plans for a metropolitan area with 42 million people, including Jakarta.
TransJakarta is known for its extensive bus network and a standard fare of 3,500 rupiah.
Proposed changes to its rules would let it operate sea and air transport and raise its authorised capital.
Pramono has mentioned helicopters as one possibility, but has not said what aircraft might be used.
Private helicopter trips already operate in Jakarta, but their prices are far above a bus fare.
Some residents are interested, while a transport expert says the money may be better spent on more buses; the city’s proposal remains part of its medium- to long-term plans.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung wants the city’s bus operator, TransJakarta, to expand into boat services and eventually air transport.
Proposed changes to the operator’s governing regulations would permit sea and air services and increase its authorised capital from 5.225 trillion rupiah to 13.4 trillion rupiah.
Pramono says air transport is part of Jakarta’s medium- to long-term plans, but has not specified what aircraft might be used.
A transport expert questions whether helicopters make financial sense as mass public transport, while some commuters welcome the idea and others worry about capacity and cost.
TransJakarta recorded 329.2 million passenger journeys in the first nine months of 2026.
- Who
- Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung wants TransJakarta, the city’s public bus operator, to expand its services.
- What
- Proposed regulatory changes would allow the operator to offer boat services and eventually air transport.
- When
- Pramono discussed air transport with reporters on Oct 4. The article was published on Oct 11, 2026.
- Where
- Jakarta and its wider metropolitan area, Indonesia.
- Why
- Pramono says a metropolitan area of this size should have air transport. He has also said the plans are part of the city’s medium- to long-term plans.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung
Transport expert Deddy Herlambang
Need for air transport
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung
Pramono says it is inconceivable for a metropolitan area of Jakarta’s size not to have air transport.
Transport expert Deddy Herlambang
Herlambang questions whether helicopters make financial sense as mass public transport.
Use of funds
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung
Not stated.
Transport expert Deddy Herlambang
Herlambang says the money would be better spent purchasing more TransJakarta non-BRT buses.
It is inconceivable for a metropolitan area of this size not to have air transport.
It makes no sense to use helicopters as mass public transport, like public minibuses, because large helicopters are extremely expensive
It would certainly be a glamorous way to get to work. But how many passengers can a helicopter carry, and how much would a ticket cost?
No more rushing during peak hours? That would be wow
TransJakarta launched.
A video of Siloam Hospitals chief executive Caroline Riady boarding a helicopter from a rooftop helipad went viral.
Whitesky Aviation’s chief commercial officer told Detikcom that helicopter rates started at about 32 million rupiah an hour for smaller helicopters.
Pramono told reporters that Jakarta should have air transport and said the plans were part of the city’s medium- to long-term plans.
The Straits Times published its report on the proposal.
- TransJakarta launched
- 2004
- Passenger journeys
- 329.2 million in the first nine months of 2026
- Projected 2026 journeys
- 438.5 million
- Current authorised capital
- 5.225 trillion rupiah
- Proposed authorised capital
- 13.4 trillion rupiah
- Jakarta population
- 11 million; wider metropolitan area: 42 million
Sources
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