Jakarta has implemented a sweeping policy aimed at tackling two persistent urban headaches: traffic congestion and air pollution. Under this new directive, all civil servants in the Indonesian capital must use public transport every Wednesday, a move Governor Pramono Anung hopes will mark a cultural shift, not just a compliance exercise.

“For anyone who violates this policy while I’m in charge – for at least the next five years – don’t expect a promotion,” he told The Jakarta Globe.

The policy, formally issued as Governor’s Instruction No. 6 of 2025, applies to around 65,000 government personnel, including both civil servants and contract workers. The goal is simple: lead by example to influence public behaviour and cut down Jakarta’s notoriously high vehicle emissions and gridlock.

From mandate to mindset shift

Governor Pramono doesn’t want this to be a one-off directive. “We want this to become not just an order, but a new lifestyle for employees. Public transportation is the future of Jakarta,” he explained.

To support accountability, staff are required to share photos of themselves commuting – “selfies as proof” – while special exemptions apply for groups such as pregnant employees. For those not in compliance, the consequences range from denied promotions to being marked absent from work. While no fines or direct penalties have been introduced yet, access to government parking has been limited, and security guards have been deployed to turn away unauthorised vehicles.

In a symbolic show of leadership, the Governor himself rode a bus from his residence in Taman Suropati to City Hall on launch day. Other senior officials, including a deputy governor, also used public transit.

Measurable impact on day one

The early signs are promising. On the first Wednesday of implementation, Jakarta recorded a compliance rate of 96%. TransJakarta, the city’s main bus operator, reported a jump in ridership – from 1.2 million to 1.4 million passengers in just one day.

While many civil servants welcomed the initiative, sharing photos and stories online, criticism surfaced over its feasibility for those commuting from the city’s outskirts. The main issue: patchy last-mile connectivity, which forces many to take multiple modes of transport or walk long distances. Suggestions floated online include dedicated shuttle services or a carpooling system for staff.

Governor Pramono has responded by noting that 91% of the metropolitan area is already covered by public transit – and more integration is on the way. There are even plans for government workers to access these services free of charge in the near future.

Jakarta: A city in crisis?

Jakarta ranks as one of the world’s most congested and polluted cities. According to the 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, it placed 7th globally for congestion. In 2023, it was labelled the most polluted city on the planet by Swiss-based air quality firm IQAir.

The cost of doing nothing is significant. Traffic congestion alone is estimated to cost Jakarta Rp64 trillion (approx. US$4.1 billion) each year. Despite sizable investment in transport infrastructure, only around 15% of the population currently uses public transport regularly.

The directive is part of a broader push for sustainable governance. In fact, in the country’s upcoming capital city, Nusantara, all government staff – except ministers and the president – will be required to ditch private cars during working hours in favour of public or electric vehicles. The idea is to model a “10-minute city” built around low emissions and transit-oriented design.

One of the key arguments in favour of the policy is that it forces policymakers to engage directly with the systems they manage. By experiencing delays, crowding, and other pain points first hand, officials are better positioned to drive real improvements.

Transport expert Djoko Setijowarno sees the shift as more than just symbolic: “It’s about pollution reduction, building sustainable policies, and realising governance that cares about the environment and supports green mobility,” he said.

Past campaigns, such as the #7dayschallenge or Friday no-car initiatives, failed to stick because they weren’t enforced. By formalising the mandate and linking it to career progression, Jakarta is signalling serious intent.

Implications for business and HR leaders

This initiative offers a compelling blueprint for behaviour-led change. Here are three key takeaways:

1) Policy must start at the top

When senior leaders demonstrate commitment – by taking the bus or train themselves in this case – it sets a tone that cascades throughout the organisation.

2) Softer nudges can be just as effective as hard penalties

Jakarta isn’t imposing fines, but the method of linking policy adherence to job promotions creates clear motivation while avoiding heavy-handed enforcement.

3) Empathy-driven leadership works

Asking employees or decision-makers to experience a service for themselves helps generate realistic, human-centric policy improvements.

Indonesia is expanding its urban transit capabilities using the “Buy-The-Service” model across 10 cities, aiming to standardise access while keeping it affordable via government subsidies. Jakarta’s mandate signals a shift from passive investment to active leadership in transport reform.

For HR leaders, this initiative underscores the importance of integrating sustainability and accessibility into workforce planning. And for policymakers, it shows that aligning personal experience with professional responsibility can unlock real behavioural change.