MRT's Popularity Soars, Ridership Grows Significantly in 2023

Jakarta's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Phase 1, running from Lebak Bulus Grab to Bundaran HI, is increasingly popular. This is evident in the significant growth of its ridership in 2023.

According to a report by PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda), MRT Jakarta Phase 1 transported approximately 33.5 million passengers throughout 2023. This figure represents a 69.4% increase compared to 2022, marking the highest achievement since its inception.

MRT Jakarta Phase 1 first commenced operations in 2019. In its debut year, it transported 24.6 million passengers. Ridership then decreased significantly in 2020 and 2021, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting mobility restrictions.

Passenger numbers only began to rise again from 2022, coinciding with the global recovery from the pandemic's effects.

In the first half of 2024, MRT Jakarta Phase 1 served 18.5 million passengers, averaging 101,600 passengers per day. This achievement surpasses the 2023 average of 91,800 passengers per day.

"PT MRT Jakarta expresses its deep appreciation to the public for entrusting their daily mobility to MRT Jakarta," said Mega Tarigan, Director of Operations and Maintenance at PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda), in a press release on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

She also acknowledged the performance of feeder transportation partners in driving the increase in MRT passengers.

"MRT Jakarta serves as the backbone of the urban transportation system, but it cannot work alone. The presence of this feeder system provides the first and last mile of daily mobility for the public, encouraging continued use of public transportation and gradually shifting away from private vehicles for daily commutes," Mega stated.