Jheny Dabu / Ara Alejo

Jheny Dabu

My first flying experience was for an immersion in Jakarta. Alongside Ara Alejo, 350 Pilipinas’ Clean Air Campaigner and Celine Tabinga, Manager for Urban Transition of ICSC, we were warmly welcomed by member organizations of the Clean Mobility Collectives – Southeast Asia (CMCSEA) in Indonesia’s capital city. 

On our first day, we took on the challenge of exploring Jakarta via public transport. After a festive lunch at Garuda Restaurant near the office of Koalisi Pejalan Kaki (KOPEKA), we walked to the M.H. Thamrin BRT Station, where I got my first glimpse of Jakarta’s walkways. Compared to most of Metro Manila’s sidewalks, Jakarta’s have wider, more even, and feature tactile paving (braille blocks) for the visually impaired.

 

Each BRT station includes information boards featuring the Jakarta Public Transportation Integration Map, which details all BRT, LRT, MRT, and commuter train lines across the city. While the Philippines’ EDSA Carousel bears some resemblance to Jakarta’s BRT system, the latter feels more systematic and integrated with other modes of transportations. 

 

The BRT stations are commuter-friendly, equipped with facilities like restrooms, escalators, food kiosks, and even a prayer room. There are also dedicated bike lanes within the stations, and foldable bikes are allowed on the BRT. My favorite features were the tactile walkways for persons with disabilities and the English translations on key signages.

I also noticed staff who reminded me of “barkers” in the Philippines—but in Jakarta, they’re formalized. They wear uniforms, assist passengers in an orderly manner, and even have designated resting areas.

We visited the Selamat Datang Monument, where we took photos and had a brief walk-through of Indonesia’s history. Built to welcome athletes for the 4th Asian Games in 1962, the monument stands at Bundaran HI, an area that transforms into a people’s park every Sunday by closing off access to private vehicles.

 

 

From there, we took the MRT to Dukuh Atas. Along the way, members of CMCSEA enthusiastically shared their ongoing campaigns and projects aimed at making public transport more accessible—for instance, their advocacy for clear and inclusive signage in stations and trains and everywhere. One strong feature of the MRT is the presence of a first-aid station. 

At Dukuh Atas, we paused for a short break at Toko Kopi TUKU and enjoyed what was, hands down, the best orange-jasmine tea I’ve ever had (grabe haha!). Celine swore it was her favorite coffee spot—and according to our companions, it’s hard to find another café that can top TUKU. While we enjoyed our refreshments, our companions revealed that there used to be no street signs in the area, but thanks to the works and researches by Forum Diskusi Transportasi Jakarta (FDTJ), directional and street name signages have now been installed, making the area more navigable for pedestrians. FDTJ is also working toward making Dukuh Atas completely car-free and dedicated to people-centered activities.

 

 

As we passed the commuter train station during rush hour, we saw that—just like in Manila—Jakarta’s public transport hubs can get incredibly crowded. On the other side of Dukuh Atas, we crossed bridges along the Ciliwung River and spotted more bike lanes, once again highlighting the city’s efforts toward improved accessibility and mobility.

 

 

The sun went down and at night, we enjoyed the beautiful city life of Jakarta. 

On our second day, we visited Nizamia Andalusia School in East Jakarta for the Living In The Smoke: A Generation’s Fight for Clean Air forum, organized by Bicara Udara for the Biru School Alliance—a program that partners with schools to raise awareness about air pollution. I was invited to speak about the Philippine transport situation, sustainable transportation, and what students can do to help reduce air pollution.

 

One of the most engaging parts of my session was when I opened with a simple question: I asked the students to share their usual mode of transportation to school. This was only my second time speaking in front of students (the first was at TUA), and I was quite nervous—especially because the session had to be delivered in English. But the icebreaker helped ease my nerves and also gave me valuable insight into the students’ daily routines.

• The first student said she goes to school by car, with a travel time of five minutes.
• The second also goes by car, with a driver, and her commute takes only two minutes.
• The third student uses a bicycle, which also takes about five minutes.
• The fourth student walks to school, also within five minutes.

I was asked to deliver a talk that would inspire students to take action for cleaner air. So I wrapped up my presentation by encouraging them to appreciate public transportation and consider active modes of transport—like walking and cycling—as sustainable alternatives.

During the Q&A, we received only two questions—but both were significant: one about the safety of public transportation and another about what can be done to make it safer for students. In a side conversation with the student affairs administrator, he shared that many parents are concerned about road and public transport safety, which is why most students rely on private vehicles. He also emphasized that educating students on the importance of sustainable transport plays a crucial role in shaping young people towards social empathy. 

 

On our way back from East Jakarta to our hotel in South Jakarta, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between different parts of the city. While public transport, sidewalks, and bike lanes are well-developed and actively used in Central and South Jakarta, the same can’t be said for other areas. Our colleagues were right—it’s important to see these disparities to truly understand that the fight for sustainable, inclusive transport in all over Indonesia is far from over. 

This immersion gave me a deeper understanding of concepts I had previously only heard from colleagues or encountered through research. I’ve come to realize that truly advocating for mass public transportation begins with imagining solutions that serve everyone. Seemingly small elements—like wayfinding signage and tactile paving (braille blocks)—are actually essential steps toward building an inclusive transport system.

 

 

Equally important is ensuring the safety of public walkways, roads, and transportation. This should never be taken for granted in the broader effort to transform our transport systems. When our transport systems are safe and accessible, even students who are usually protected by private cars can have the same positive experiences I had while navigating Jakarta through public transportation.

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Ara Alejo

I have spent a week in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the activities of Clean Mobility Collective South East Asia. We brought the Life in the Bubble Campaign in Jakarta. Together with Bicara Udara, Koalisi Pejalan Kaki, FDTJ Transport for Jakarta, ITDP, 350 Indonesia and Climate Rangers Jakarta.

We maximized the Car Free Sundays in Central Jakarta. Thousands of people are visiting the activity and many organizations set up booths and activities for the public. On our side of the carfree, CMC partners set up booths with standees for explainers, for 360 Videos, and If you want to take a photo in the bubble, There is an aerobics session, acoustic performance and the main event a live story telling of the Life in a bubble Performance.

 

 

There are hundreds of people observing and participating in the whole program, and watching social media influencer, Aprila Majid portray a wealthy woman protecting herself from air pollution thru the bubble.

The last part was with a talk show, together with Celine from ICSC, Sir Alfred Sitorus of Kopeka and Lisa Anggaeny of Biru Voices. We’ve discussed why clean air is an issue we should all talk about and how to take part in solutions for it. We also highlighted how public and sustainable mobility is the next step on improving air quality.

My main takeaway is, similar to Jakarta we have the worst traffic because of the huge volume of private vehicles, but developing our public transport makes riding the trains and buses more easier and efficient than riding or driving a car. It would also lessen vehicles on the road and lessen carbon emission by private cars with combustion engines.

Second is, carfree days are also a good and strategic place to hold performance art actions like life in the bubble. We could convince people already enjoying the benefits of cleaner air due to tactical urbanism because who would not want that peace of mind they experience while cycling, jogging or walking.

The highlight of this whole tour is how we can work with one another even from different countries. How we can exchange and share practices to develop our own campaigns.

Because we have the same goal, to have cleaner air for a healthier and greener future!

Being part of the solution, by taking public transport and active mobility as a first step. Then promoting Renewable Energy and calling to end fossil fuel dependency! This shows the seeds of climate justice for me and gives hope that there is a better future.