Jakarta City Council Commission B Member, Dwi Rio Sambodo is confident that the Velodrome-Manggarai LRT expansion will be a powerful fix for Jakarta’s notorious traffic. By creating a more seamless, integrated network, the new line is expected to inspire a major shift from private cars to public transit.

Public transportation has undergone a shift in perception, moving from a mere alternative to an increasingly popular preference.

"I feel optimistic. Today’s forward-thinking society views public transport as a compelling choice rather than just a secondary option," he expressed, Wednesday (7/22).

While optimistic, Rio warned that success is about more than just laying tracks—it is about the government’s ability to deliver peak performance. He highlighted five critical areas for the Jakarta government to prioritize.

First, integration is key. The LRT must sync seamlessly with the MRT, Transjakarta, and Train to make commuting effortless and efficient.

Second, service quality is non-negotiable; it must live up to the hype to ensure there’s no gap between public expectation and the actual commuter experience.

Third, all construction-related issues must be fully resolved. Rio pointed out that several residents are still voicing concerns over the impact of the ongoing work.

"Let’s not fix one issue by creating a new one," he explained.

Fourth, the Transportation Agency and PT Jakpro must ramp up oversight and keep a close eye on operations to ensure service standards never waver.

Finally, the city needs to keep its ear to the ground—measuring public satisfaction post-launch is vital for fine-tuning the system and taking the city's transit quality to the next level.

Rio added that integrated transport systems are proven to curb congestion and enhance mobility efficiency. For the average commuter, this means significant savings in time, costs, and energy.

He also pointed out that the city’s initiative to provide free transportation for 15 categories of people serves as a vital stimulus to boost public transit ridership.

"This optimism must be sustained through rigorous evaluation and the strengthening of intermodal links, so the public truly reaps the rewards," he closed.