Challenges and Opportunities in the Transportation Sector during the Pandemic

Jakarta, InfoPublik—The government continues its efforts to restore the transportation sector that was experiencing pressure during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Idonesian Transportation Ministry as the regulator in the field of transportation continues to formulate appropriate policies that put appropriate balance between transport users and companies.

"How users can enjoy safe and healthy transportation, and how transport companies survive and operate during this pandemic while complying to a number of health protocols such as: limiting passenger capacity and the like," explained Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Wednesday ( 7/22/2020).

Transportation Minister further revealed a number of conditions, challenges, and opportunities in the transportation sector during the pandemic. For example, global air transportation sector has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, including Indonesia, where the number of airplane passengers has slumped since the first quarter of 2020.

In July 2020, its performance began to improve with aircraft movement increasing 42 percent, after a number of joint efforts between aviation stakeholders with related parties including Health Ministry and the Covid-19 Task Force such as: increasing the maximum capacity of aircraft passengers to 70 percent, extending the valid period of rapid/PCR tests from 3 days to 14 days, online registration for Health Alert Card online, and the like.

On the other hand, urban transportation such as the Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi commuter train (KRL) never lost passengers’ interest despite the implementation of health protocols such as: limitation of maximum capacity of passengers in one car. A number of efforts have also been carried out to limit the number of passengers, such as providing alternative fleets besides KRL such as buses and arrangement of different working hours between companies to avoid overcrowding.

Transportation Ministry carries out transportation control by prioritizing the implementation of health protocols in transportation facilities and infrastructure during the adaptation of new normal in order to create a productive and safe society from the spread of Covid-19 as directed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Transport Ministry continues its efforts to recover the transportation industry, while trying to rebuild public’s trust to use public transportation safely and healthily.

"(implementation of) These efforts and breakthroughs do not solely rely on the Central Government, it needs good collaboration between Ministries/Institutions, Local Governments, business actors, academics, media, and the public," added the Transportation Minister of Transportation. (Reporter: Dian Thenniarti, Translator: Penni P. Rusman)