Jakarta. Jakarta’s public bus operator is preparing to launch a new direct service connecting the capital’s southern business district with Indonesia’s main international gateway, aiming to have it running before the busy Eid al-Fitr travel season in 2026.

For international visitors, the new route would offer a more affordable alternative to taxis and ride-hailing services, while connecting directly to Jakarta’s wider bus rapid transit network.

Bus rapid transit operator Transjakarta said the new route will link Blok M in South Jakarta with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which serves the greater Jakarta area and handles most of the country’s international flights.

President Director Welfizon Yuza said technical and administrative preparations are underway, including coordination with Angkasa Pura Indonesia, the airport’s operator, and central government authorities to secure operational permits.

“Last week, we met with Angkasa Pura. They are currently processing the memorandum of understanding. Our draft has been signed and is now awaiting their signature,” Welfizon told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The new service will be branded SH2 and operate along the Blok M–Soekarno-Hatta corridor. It will complement the existing SH1 route, which runs from Kalideres in West Jakarta to the airport.

Currently, SH1 primarily serves passengers from the western parts of the city. The upcoming SH2 route is expected to cater to travelers coming from South and Central Jakarta, including major office and commercial districts popular with business travelers and expatriates.

From Blok M — a well-known shopping and transport hub — buses will pass through Sudirman, Semanggi and the parliamentary complex area before entering the toll road toward the airport. The corridor links several key transport nodes and high-mobility business districts, making it a strategic option for travelers, particularly during the annual Eid homecoming exodus.

Welfizon said the introduction of SH2 will not replace the existing SH1 service. Both routes will operate in parallel under separate route names.

“Kalideres will remain in service as SH1, while the Blok M route will be SH2,” he said.

Transjakarta and the airport operator are still finalizing where buses will stop within the airport complex. Angkasa Pura Indonesia has been seeking to reduce vehicle congestion at individual terminals, where private cars and ride-hailing vehicles often cause heavy traffic, especially during peak travel periods.

The location of bus stops and passenger pick-up and drop-off points must align with the airport’s internal traffic management policies to avoid adding pressure to departure and arrival areas, Welfizon said.

In principle, Angkasa Pura Indonesia supports the new Transjakarta service, viewing it as a way to expand public transport options for passengers traveling to and from the airport.

However, Welfizon said that the launch timeline will depend on the completion of regulatory approvals and operational permits from the relevant authorities.