IDOS researcher and PhD candidate, Franco Jauregui Fung, undertook a research fellowship at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta, Indonesia, during October and November 2024. The research focused on the integration of mass transit systems in Jakarta.
As the city transitions from a bus rapid transit (BRT) network to railway services, the study emphasised integration at multiple levels—physical, digital, and fare-related—and examined its impact on the urban environment, particularly for transit-oriented development (TOD).
The fieldwork comprised two main components: interviews with local experts from public transport corporations, transport organisations, and real estate consultants, as well as visits to nine key intermodal stations. These stations were analysed to assess the integration of Transjakarta BRT stations with Jakarta’s recently introduced rail services, including MRT Jakarta, LRT Jakarta, LRT Jabodebek, as well as the already existing KRL Commuter Line. These site visits provided valuable empirical data on multimodal integration and its effects on the surrounding urban environment. The dynamic nature of the fieldwork enhanced research skills in data collection, analysis, and cross-cultural communication. The experience also expanded professional networks and strengthened the focus on interdisciplinary research in sustainable urban mobility.
Franco Jauregui Fung presented his preliminary findings at the research seminar at CSIS Indonesia. This platform facilitated the sharing of insights into mass transit integration, opportunities for TOD, and the role of digital platforms in improving user experiences. The discussions with colleagues, many of whom are public transport users, offered meaningful perspectives that helped refine the analysis. The researcher also had the opportunity to attend the TOD Forum 2024, organised by PT MRT Jakarta. The event provided an opportunity to engage with leading experts and reflect on the importance of TOD in enhancing urban mobility. It also highlighted the critical role of design and architectural quality in creating spaces around mass transit stations not only to improve connectivity, but also to foster social cohesion.
This fellowship offered first-hand exposure to Jakarta’s significant progress in mass transit infrastructure and its positive impact on the urban environment. Engaging with local experts and witnessing the city’s transformation into a transit-oriented city offered invaluable insights into the complexities of urban mobility in the Global South. The lessons learnt provide valuable guidance for other cities facing similar challenges, such as congestion and pollution from high levels of motorisation, while striving to enhance urban mobility. This opportunity has laid the groundwork for further research and collaboration, with the hope of returning to Jakarta in the future to witness the continued impact of these transformative changes.
The research fellowship is supported by the EU-funded project PRODIGEES, which focuses on sustainability, digitalisation, and transnational knowledge cooperation.