From Traffic Nightmare to Smart Mobility Hub
Jakarta's infrastructure overhaul is rewriting the rules of urban mobility. A gleaming high-speed railway station now stands as the crown jewel of Indonesia’s $7.3 billion Whoosh rail project, connecting the capital to Bandung in 45 minutes – a route that previously took 3 hours by car. While legendary traffic jams persist (locals joke about 'Jakarta time' being measured in gridlock hours), new options are emerging: a 230 km/h bullet train, expanded MRT lines serving 500,000 daily riders, and app-based motorbike rentals weaving through stalled traffic.
The Commuter’s Dilemma: Progress vs Persistent Challenges
“We’ve traded waiting in cars for navigating a transit maze,” says Rina Wijaya, a digital nomad using Jakarta’s new MRT to reach coworking spaces. Data shows the city has reduced peak-hour congestion by 18% since 2019 through its integrated BRT system and ride-hailing partnerships – crucial for a metro area of 35 million people. Environmental analysts note the high-speed rail alone could cut CO2 emissions by 20,000 tons annually by 2030.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
