LRT Expected to Help Reduce Traffic Congestion in North Jakarta 

Jakarta: The Light Rail Transit (LRT) service connecting Kelapa Gading Station to Manggarai is expected to help ease traffic congestion in North Jakarta by encouraging residents who typically rely on private vehicles to switch to public transportation, according to North Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Rudy Saptari Sulesuryana. 

“The presence of the LRT is expected to encourage people to develop the habit of using public transportation,” Rudy said in Jakarta, as reported by Antara on Friday September 11, 2026.

Rudy said the LRT is targeted to carry 60,000 to 70,000 passengers daily. The service is therefore expected to reduce the use of private vehicles in North Jakarta. 

“The presence of the LRT is expected to encourage people to switch to public transportation,” Rudy explained.

Rudy took part in an LRT trial run from Kelapa Gading Station to Manggarai on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The Kelapa Gading-Manggarai LRT line spans approximately 12.2 kilometers and serves 11 stations: Kelapa Gading, Boulevard Utara, Boulevard Selatan, Pulomas, Equestrian, Velodrome, Rawamangun, Pramuka, Matraman, Proklamasi and Manggarai.

The Agency Head views the service as highly effective and could significantly reduce travel time, with the journey from Kelapa Gading Station to Manggarai Station taking just 28 minutes. He said the LRT could provide a transportation solution for residents of North Jakarta traveling to Central or South Jakarta. 

He added that the LRT was comfortable, with the trial run proceeding safely and smoothly. “Everything is now connected with the presence of the LRT,” Rudy said. 

Regarding the Rp8 fare charged during the socialization period until the official inauguration, he said the policy could serve as an attraction and encourage residents to switch from private vehicles to public transportation.

“Perhaps this is an introductory fare, but it is expected to encourage residents to choose public transportation,” Rudy explained. 

Previously, PT Jakarta Propertindo (Perseroda) (Jakpro), through its subsidiary LRT Jakarta, conducted its first operational trial of the Kelapa Gading-Manggarai LRT route on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Jakpro President Director Iwan Takwin said the trial was being conducted in stages, in a measured manner, and through continuous evaluation.

Each stage is part of the validation and refinement process, ranging from travel testing and service capacity increases to optimizing train waiting times. The entire process is supported by monitoring the readiness of systems, facilities, and personnel as part of preparations to ensure that LRT Jakarta can provide safe, comfortable, and reliable services when it enters full operation.

Jakpro is also continuing to improve several supporting facilities for LRT Jakarta, including access to stations, cleanliness in station areas and underground sections, as well as architectural details of the stations. The improvements are aimed at ensuring that all supporting facilities can provide a safe, comfortable, and inclusive travel experience for all passengers. 

During the first trial, two round trips were operated using two trainsets. The train service began at 2:55 p.m. local time (WIB).

Each trip served the Kelapa Gading-Manggarai route and returned to Kelapa Gading Station. During the trial period, LRT Jakarta operated at a maximum speed of 40 km/h with a maximum service capacity of 100 passengers.

(Razaqa Hariz)