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Traffic congestion in urban areas has become a global issue. The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is one of the cities that has long struggled with traffic problems. In the 2024 global traffic ranking, Jakarta ranked 7th worst in the world, once again highlighting the severity of its congestion.

Introduction

In recent years, Southeast Asian countries have seen an increase in automobile ownership along with economic development. The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is no exception, and traffic congestion has become a daily challenge. This article introduces the current traffic situation in Jakarta, incorporating the latest data and videos.

Jakarta’s Traffic by the Numbers

Jakarta Ranks 7th in the World for Chronic Traffic Congestion with Average Speed of 20 km/h

According to the “Global Traffic Scorecard 2024” released by the U.S.-based traffic data analysis company INRIX, Jakarta ranked 7th in the list of “cities with the worst traffic congestion in the world.”

The INRIX study found that drivers in Jakarta lose an average of 89 hours per year due to traffic congestion, a 37% increase from the previous year. INRIX also reported that the average driving speed in central Jakarta is merely around 20 km/h (approx. 12.4 mph). Many people may feel that walking would be faster.

The top-ranked city was Istanbul, Turkey, where drivers are estimated to waste 105 hours annually. New York came in second, followed by Chicago in third.

Top 10 Cities with the Worst Traffic Congestion in the World (Global Traffic Scorecard 2024)

1. Istanbul (Turkey)
2. New York (USA)
3. Chicago (USA)
4. Mexico City (Mexico)
5. London (UK)
6. Paris (France)
7. Jakarta (Indonesia)
8. Los Angeles (USA)
9. Cape Town (South Africa)
10. Brisbane (Australia)

The “Global Traffic Scorecard 2024” analyzes various traffic data across 946 metropolitan areas worldwide. The 2024 edition applies updated analytical methods that take into account travel times to major urban areas, the most frequently used routes, and differences between rush and non-rush hours.

Source: CNBC Indonesia “Makin Parah! Jakarta Jadi Kota Termacet No. 7 di Dunia” (Translation: “Getting Worse! Jakarta Becomes the 7th Most Congested City in the World”)

Jakarta Drivers Waste 108 Hours Annually Due to Traffic Congestion

Here is another report on road congestion.

According to the “TomTom Traffic Index 2024” report released by navigation device manufacturer TomTom, Bandung ranked 12th globally and topped the list among Indonesian cities. Among Japanese cities, Kyoto ranked 6th and Kumamoto 11th. When limited to cities with populations over 800,000, Bandung ranks 10th globally.

For cities with populations exceeding 8 million, Jakarta ranks highest in Indonesia, placing 10th globally. Among Japanese cities, Tokyo ranks 8th, while Osaka ranks 12th.

Top 10 Most Congested Cities in the World with Populations Over 8 Million (TomTom Traffic Index 2024)

1. Bangalore (India)
2. London (UK)
3. Mexico City (Mexico)
4. New York (USA)
5. Buenos Aires (Argentina)
6. Mumbai (India)
7. Paris (France)
8. Tokyo (Japan)
9. São Paulo (Brazil)
10. Jakarta (Indonesia)

This ranking covers 500 cities across 62 countries and is based on average travel time and congestion level.*

The top five Indonesian cities are as follows:

• Bandung: Average travel time per 10 km – 32 minutes 37 seconds, Congestion level – 48%
• Medan: Average travel time per 10 km – 32 minutes 3 seconds, Congestion level – 40%
• Palembang: Average travel time per 10 km – 27 minutes 55 seconds, Congestion level – 41%
• Surabaya: Average travel time per 10 km – 26 minutes 59 seconds, Congestion level – 31%
• Jakarta: Average travel time per 10 km – 25 minutes 31 seconds, Congestion level – 43%

The survey estimates that drivers in Jakarta waste 108 hours annually due to traffic congestion.

Source: TomTom “TomTom Traffic Index Ranking 2024”

The primary causes of traffic congestion in Jakarta include rapid population growth and an increase in privately owned vehicles, combined with delays in the development of transportation infrastructure. Other contributing factors include a lack of driver discipline, insufficient enforcement of traffic regulations, complex intersection designs, and a lack of countermeasures against the impact of numerous construction projects on surrounding roads.

In certain areas, public minivans known as “Angkot” (Angkutan Kota), which often park on the roadside or wait for passengers, also contribute to traffic jams.

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Jakarta Traffic Through Video

Rush Hour Traffic in Jakarta

Watch the video

This video captures the nighttime scene at the Semanggi Interchange in South Jakarta. Semanggi is adjacent to the business district of Sudirman and is a familiar area for Japanese residents living locally. The Semanggi Interchange, surrounded by cloverleaf-shaped roads (Semanggi means “clover” in Indonesian), is particularly known for heavy congestion in this area.

While the video beautifully showcases the lights of skyscrapers, car headlights, and green parks, this is certainly not the kind of traffic one would want to be caught in when trying to get home quickly.

Traffic Violations That Cause Congestion

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In this video, the rightmost lane is a dedicated lane for TransJakarta buses. However, instead of being used solely by buses, a truck can be seen wedged between two buses. At the front of the line, a truck and a motorcycle are being stopped by a police officer.

Please rewind to the beginning of the video. You can see a motorcycle going the wrong way, possibly after spotting the police at the front.

In Jakarta, such violations of traffi

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Efforts to Shake Off the Notoriety of a Congested City

Road congestion in Jakarta has been a long-standing issue. The Indonesian government has tried various countermeasures, such as building highways and railways, and implementing odd-even license plate regulations. However, in recent years, with the growing number of private car owners, these measures appear to be far from keeping pace with the problem.

To some extent, traffic congestion can be seen as a sign of active economic activity in the region, population growth, and a growing middle class that can afford private vehicles. However, chronic congestion of the magnitude seen in Jakarta has a profoundly negative impact on citizens’ daily lives and economic activity.

The Government of Indonesia and the Jakarta Provincial Government will likely continue experimenting with various initiatives under the banner of traffic congestion mitigation. It is essential for citizens to carefully observe how each of these measures performs in practice.