Jakarta. The Jakarta provincial government plans to increase fares for its Transjakarta bus service while keeping free rides for 15 specific groups, Governor Pramono Anung said on Monday.

The city currently charges Rp 3,500 ($0.22) per ride, one of the lowest public transport fares in Greater Jakarta. However, Pramono said the subsidy per ticket has grown to over Rp 9,000, prompting the need for a more sustainable fare system that balances affordability with service quality.

“The Jakarta government already provides free rides for 15 groups, including civil servants, military and police personnel, students, people with disabilities, and the elderly. But of course, we cannot fully subsidize all residents,” Pramono told reporters after attending the grand reopening of New M Bloc Space in South Jakarta.

He added that the fare adjustment would ensure Transjakarta’s prices remain close to those of neighboring regions, such as Bogor, Bekasi, and Tangerang. “Transjakarta remains the cheapest compared to other cities, but we have to maintain fairness and fiscal balance,” he said.

While Pramono did not specify how much the new fare would be or when it would take effect, he said any changes would be introduced only after ongoing improvements to the fleet and facilities are completed.

One of the key upgrades includes expanding the fleet of electric buses. Transjakarta currently operates around 200 electric buses, and the city aims to increase that number to 500 by the end of the year.

“We’re improving the facilities continuously. The electric buses are expected to help reduce pollution in Jakarta,” Pramono said.

Transjakarta, Southeast Asia’s largest bus rapid transit network, serves more than 1.6 million passengers daily.