A metropolis stuck in gridlock

As Jakarta celebrates its 499th anniversary, the city has long outgrown its boundaries and became the world's most populous megacity with 42 million inhabitants across the sprawled metropolitan area.

Yet Greater Jakartans continue to grapple with urban challenges as a plan for an agglomeration, which would further integrate the region's mobility, economy, infrastructure and services, remains in limbo.

The agglomeration plan was incorporated in the 2024 Special Region of Jakarta Act, which was enacted as part of Jakarta's transition away from being Indonesia's capital. The law mandates the establishment of an agglomeration council, but it has yet to be operational, pending a presidential decree on the capital relocation to the new city of Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Urban expert Yayat Supriatna said that while the plan remains unclear, it becomes important as Jakarta's highly mobile population has not been matched by infrastructure and services improvements in satellite cities.

"Jakarta has played its role in agglomeration, particularly in transportation," he said.

"But it is also struggling because there is no subsidy or financial support from neighboring regions."

Earlier this month, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung revealed a plan to raise fares on Transjabodetabek, the extended city-owned Transjakarta bus network, as subsidizing it became difficult to sustain.

Yayat argued the agglomeration council could help ensure continuity. But its effectiveness would depend on "how strong its budget is and how much authority is granted to it".