How Much Do Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Earn Daily in Jabodetabek?

In 2023, the Institute for Demographic and Poverty Studies (IDEAS) conducted a survey on the welfare of online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojol) in the Jabodetabek area.

Of the 225 ojol driver respondents, the majority, or 39.6%, had daily income between Rp175,000 and Rp200,000.

Then, 36% of respondents had daily income between Rp125,000 and Rp150,000, and 8% of respondents had daily income between Rp225,000 and Rp300,000.

Cumulatively, in 2023, the average daily income of ojol drivers in Jabodetabek reached Rp171,600.

However, when calculated monthly, the average ojol income is below the minimum city wage.

According to IDEAS' calculations, the average gross monthly income of ojol drivers in Bekasi City in 2023 was only Rp3.9 million per month, lower than the minimum city wage at that time, which reached Rp5 million per month.

Not to mention, after deducting operational costs including fuel, food, and phone credit, the average net monthly income of ojol drivers in Bekasi City in 2023 was only Rp2.6 million per month, about half of the minimum city wage.

"This low income, which is far below the minimum city wage, must be achieved with much harder work than ordinary workers," said IDEAS in its report, *The Illusion of Prosperity of Metropolitan Online Motorcycle Taxis*.

"For example, online motorcycle taxi drivers in Bekasi City spend an average of 11.5 hours per day working, far exceeding the normal 8-hour workday. To earn a decent income, online motorcycle taxi drivers have to work longer hours," it continued.

Similar problems are now being voiced again by the ojol and online taxi driver communities through demonstrations on Tuesday (20/5/2025) held at various points in Java and Sumatra. One of the demands is regarding employment status.

"Abolish the partnership system. Designate ojol drivers, online taxi drivers, and couriers as permanent employees," said Lily Pujiati, Chair of the Indonesian Transportation Workers Union (SPAI), in a press statement on Monday (19/5/2025).

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi admitted to having received these aspirations. He also received reports about three main issues highlighted by ojol drivers: fares, employment status, and a discount reduction to 10% from the previous maximum of 20%.

On the other hand, online transportation company management believes there are several risks if ojol drivers change status from partners to permanent employees, such as a potential decrease in the number of driver partners, inflexible working hours, reduced income, employee recruitment selection, and disruption to MSMEs.