Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has signed a regulation granting free public transport access to private-sector employees earning less than Rp 6.2 million (about $371) per month, in a bid to ease commuting costs in the capital.

The new rule --Gubernatorial Regulation No. 33/2025 on the Provision of Free Mass Public Transportation Services-- was signed on Oct. 10 and formally disclosed this week.

Under the regulation, holders of the Jakarta Worker Card (Kartu Pekerja Jakarta, or KPJ) who fall within the eligible salary threshold will be entitled to ride TransJakarta buses, MRT, and LRT at no charge. 

“Private sector workers are defined as KPJ holders with salaries up to 1.15 times the Jakarta provincial minimum wage,” Jakarta Transportation Agency chief Syafrin Liputo said in a message to reporters on Thursday.

Jakarta’s 2025 minimum wage is set at Rp 5.4 million per month, which means the maximum income to qualify as a KPJ beneficiary is Rp 6.2 million.

Syafrin added that KPJ data will be refreshed every six months to ensure the program remains targeted.

“The free service card is valid as long as the person is registered as a KPJ holder, but data is updated every six months to make sure the subsidy is on target,” he said.

The policy comes as Jakarta residents continue to shoulder one of the region’s highest daily commuting costs. 

For context, one MRT ride typically costs between Rp 3,000 and Rp 14,000 depending on distance and destination station, while LRT fares range from Rp 5,000 to Rp 14,000. TransJakarta remains the cheapest mass transit mode at Rp 3,500 per ride, although the provincial government is considering raising fares for the first time in 20 years.

The Transport Ministry reported in July that Jakarta residents spend on average Rp 1.5 million per month on transport, equivalent to around 28 percent of the capital’s minimum wage. That share is nearly triple the ideal benchmark of 10 percent recommended by the World Bank. According to the ministry, the high spending stems from online motorcycle taxis, widely used for first- and last-mile segments. 

The regulation takes effect this month, though technical implementation guidelines are still being prepared by the Transportation Agency.