Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub DKI Jakarta) has launched a series of focus group discussions to evaluate the city’s 10-year-old odd-even traffic restriction policy, opening the door to potential adjustments based on economic and environmental feedback.
Assessing a Decade of Restrictions
Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Budi Awaludin stated on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, that the administration gathered public input during recent sessions to assess the decade-long efficacy of the traffic scheme.
“The odd-even FGD yesterday only asked for public input on what it’s like, and indeed there needs to be a deeper study,” Budi said while visiting the Car-Free Day event at Bundaran HI, Central Jakarta.
Weighing Commercial Demands Against Ecology
The transportation agency is examining how the traffic rule intersects with broader economic activity, urban ecology, and current vehicle emission standards. Budi noted that business owners have pushed for greater operational flexibility under the policy.
“If it’s from what you call it, business actors are asking for relaxation, right?” Budi said.
Experts Push Back on Proposed Loosening
While commercial sectors advocate for looser restrictions, transportation experts have cautioned the city government against altering the core framework too quickly. Budi acknowledged that specialists warned that relaxing the odd-even thresholds could exacerbate gridlock across major thoroughfares.
“If there is relaxation, surely it will add to the traffic jams again, right?” Budi said, summarizing warnings from academic and transit specialists. “This is still something we have to study more deeply.”
Next Steps for City Leadership
The Transportation Agency plans to use the qualitative data from these stakeholder consultations to formulate a comprehensive review before presenting definitive policy recommendations to city leadership.
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