A metropolis stuck in gridlock

Jakarta remains marred by longstanding mobility problems, as the capital turns 499 years old on June 22.

Isra Livera, also 24, has grown frustrated with the traffic and overcrowded public transport defining her daily commute from Depok, West Java, to her office in South Jakarta on commuter trains, Transjakarta buses and motorcycle taxis.

"I complain about it a lot. But then again, everyone else is enduring the same problem like me," she said, having long accepted her life as a commuter for over 16 years, even grown fond of Jakarta's lively and fast-paced environment.

As she applauded Jakarta's development progress as a capital, Isra wished it "could find its way to improve itself and be more welcoming for everyone", including by creating a better-integrated multimodal public transport system that workers across Greater Jakarta can rely on.

"Jakarta really needs to add more capacity so we don't end up packed inside every time," she said, hoping for improvement as the city marks another anniversary. "With better integration, I wouldn't have to walk so far just to transfer."