Is it better to take public or private transport to work in Jakarta? Here are the considerations!

Working in a big city like Jakarta is a dream for many people. But working in a place like this also comes with its own challenges, namely the cost of living and transportation, especially if you come from or choose to live in the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek). Here is a breakdown of using public transport vs private vehicles when commuting from home to the office.

Pros and cons of taking public transport in Jakarta

The Jakarta city government continues to innovate by working to provide an interconnected mass transportation system at affordable prices. However, using public transport like this also has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among them:

1. Affordable fares

Compared to using a private vehicle (with fuel costs) or riding an online ojek, public transport fares like MRT and KRL tend to be more affordable. For around Rp3,000 to Rp20,000 per trip, you can already travel from Bogor all the way to Central Jakarta and North Jakarta. The government is also now working to improve the affordability and interconnectivity between different modes of transportation.

2. Free from traffic and rain

Another advantage of taking rail and busway public transport is being free from traffic jams and rain. This is because trains and busway have their own dedicated lanes and, of course, a roof. This is different from commuting by motorcycle, where you have to pull over when it rains and endure the heat of the sun.

3. Time

Even though you are free from traffic and rain, it is undeniable that time still remains a concern when taking public transport. This is because first, you have to get from home to the nearest stop, whether by walking or taking a mikrotrans. If you take a mikrotrans, you also have to wait. Second, the speed of public transport is generally slower than a private vehicle. So if punctuality is your priority when choosing a mode of transport, you should do a trial run first to see which is faster, private or public transport.

4. Accessibility

The government has been working to improve interconnectivity between public transport options. But it is also undeniable that certain areas in Jakarta can still only be accessed by private vehicle. So it is no surprise that many workers in Jakarta, after taking public transport, continue their commute by online ojek or taxi to reach their office. Online ojek and taxis are relatively flexible since you can order from anywhere and do not need to look for parking. The downside, however, is that they are a bit pricey.

But you do not need to stress about this. Because Honest App, in collaboration with GreenSM, offers the Honest x GreenSM promo. By paying for GreenSM using your Honest credit card, you can get Rp75,000 cashback for 3 trips on this online taxi.

5. Passenger density

Another challenge you will face when taking public transport is the large number of passengers during peak hours, such as morning and evening rush hours. This can make riding public transport less comfortable for people who do not enjoy crowds, or for those who are already worn out from a long day at work.

Pros and cons of using a private vehicle in Jakarta

1. More flexible

The nice thing about riding your own motorcycle or driving your own car in Jakarta is that you can make stops on the way home from work. Since you are driving yourself, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want.

2. Relatively faster

The speed of using a private vehicle for work in Jakarta depends on several factors. First, traffic conditions on the road. Second, the type of vehicle you use. Third, the distance between your place of residence and your workplace. But at the very least, compared to public transport, you do not have to wait.

3. Stuck in traffic, heat, and rain

The main downside of commuting to work by private vehicle in Jakarta is getting stuck in traffic, heat, and rain, especially if you are using a motorcycle. You can try to work around it by checking the weather app before leaving, but weather apps in Indonesia are not always accurate either.

4. Hard to find parking

Another downside of using a private vehicle to commute in Jakarta is the difficulty of finding parking. And when you do find it, you may need to subscribe at a rental cost of up to hundreds of thousands of rupiah per month, which will naturally add to your living expenses. This is especially true if your office does not provide a parking subsidy or its own parking facility.

5. Expensive

On top of parking costs, you also have to pay for fuel if you commute by private vehicle. Not to mention, for those coming from outside Jakarta who use the toll road, you also have to pay toll fees every single trip, which are certainly not cheap.

6. Tiring

Driving a car or riding a motorcycle for 5 hours round trip between home and the office is exhausting. Even more so when work is piling up or things at home are stressful. For that reason, commuting home by private vehicle is actually not recommended when you are tired, drowsy, or stressed.

So, is it better to take public or private transport to work in Jakarta?

The need to use private or public transport can vary from person to person. It largely depends on where you live and how far it is from the nearest public facilities and your office. If you live in Tangerang, Depok, Bekasi, or Bogor, then KRL is the best option because it is affordable and you do not have to exhaust yourself driving long distances.

On the other hand, if the distance between your place and the office is only 3 to 5 km, you can ride a motorcycle, or if you are tired, take an online taxi. Unless, of course, you want to adopt a frugal lifestyle, in which case walking 3 kilometers is not a problem at all.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ):

1. Is public transport in Jakarta good?

In 2021, Jakarta received the Sustainable Transport Award (STA) for having a well-integrated public transportation system.

2. Why do many people not want to use public transport?

Many people may avoid public transport because transit stops and destinations are far apart, they want to minimize closeness with strangers, or possibly other reasons.

3. Is taking a taxi in Jakarta expensive?

Taxi fares in Jakarta can be relatively cheap or expensive, depending on the departure and destination points. If you want an affordable taxi option, you can use the Honest x GreenSM promo to save on your budget.