The concept of “sustainability” in transportation is not just about reducing emissions. Instead, it’s about designing systems that meet today’s needs while protecting the future (Reis et al., 2024). Yet in many Sub-Saharan African cities, sustainable transport remains a challenge. With over 55% of the world’s population now living in urban areas and projections showing an increase of 2.5 billion more urban residents by 2050, 90% of whom will reside in Sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is urgent (Ritchie & Rodes-Guirao, 2024). Today, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over 1.26 billion people, with urban populations growing at an annual rate of 4.1%, the fastest in the world (O’Neill, 2023). Despite efforts to build sustainable urban transportation, things have not been successful. Consequently, up to 95% of daily public urban trips now rely on informal services (Welle et al., 2022).

Jakarta stands on the other flank of the Global South, and its TransJakarta system offers a striking alternative to the narratives usually pulled from Latin America. Launched in 2004, the network borrowed the Bus Rapid Transit (BTR) system sketched out by Colombia’s TransMilenio but repainted it for tomorrows Jakarta. City planners aimed to carve out an inclusive, low-emission, and efficient that would muck through urban gridlock while leaving a lighter footprint.

Today, TransJakarta operates over 4,300 buses, including electric buses, 247 routes, reaching more than 87% of Jakarta’s population and carrying over 1.3 million passengers daily (Badan Pusat Statistik, 2025). This success is not just about numbers; it’s powered by strong political will and integrated policies such as dedicated lanes, subsidies, and innovative public-private partnerships. These efforts even earned TransJakarta the 2021 Sustainable Transport Award from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) (ITDP Indonesia, 2021).

This raises an important question: How can the TransJakarta BRT inform sustainable public transportation models in Sub-Saharan African cities? My objective is not to present TransJakarta as perfect; rather, I aim to highlight its sustainable best practices as transferable lessons that can be refined and adapted for African contexts.

In doing so, this excerpt offers a holistic look at the sustainability strategies behind TransJakarta, integrating environmental protection, social advancement, and economic prosperity, and how they can inspire the development of sustainable transportation in Sub-Saharan African cities.

The Environmental Protection performance of the TransJakarta BRT

Public transportation is often seen as a greener alternative to private car use, and in Jakarta, this idea has been taken to a whole new level. TransJakarta demostrates that urban transit can be a powerful tool for environmental protection and public health.

1. Mitigating Climate Change: TransJakarta is leading Jakarta’s shift to a low-carbon future by electrifying its bus fleet. Currently, about 300 electric buses are operational, with a clear target of achieving full electrification by 2030 under Jakarta’s Transportation Master Plan (ITDP Indonesia, 2021). This transition goes beyond reducing emissions—it’s opening up new markets for electric vehicles and creating green jobs in areas like EV maintenance and clean energy infrastructure, earning Jakarta a Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Certificate from the Ministry of Environmental and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. Reducing Air Pollution: TransJakarta’s green push extends into pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. In 2019 alone, Jakarta built over 87 kilometres of sidewalks, enabling safe walking for up to 5,000 pedestrians per hour and improving access to MRT stations, train stations, and airports. In 2020, Jakarta introduced its first 11-kilometre protected bicycle lane corridor, already used by an estimated 37,000 cyclists (ITDP Indonesia, 2021). With a target of expanding bike lanes to 500 kilometres by 2030, these improvements are helping create cleaner, safer, and more inclusive streets.
3. Promoting Green Infrastructure: TransJakarta is also integrating nature into its infrastructure. Initiatives like urban tree planting and water-sensitive design contribute to better air quality and biodiversity. Programs such as Bersih Berdaya Bestri, developed with CarbonEthics, and From Water to Goodness enable passengers to support environmental and social causes by donating through QR codes (Dewi, 2024). These donations help fund activities like mangrove planting, supporting children with stunting, and empowering persons with disabilities, making TransJakarta a platform for everyday climate action.
4. Minimising Land Use: TransJakarta is playing a strategic role in shaping a more compact and efficient Jakarta. Its BRT network supports transit-oriented development (TOD), which encourages high-density, mixed-use urban areas that reduce the need for urban sprawl. This approach helps protect green spaces, limit excessive land consumption, and maintain vital ecological zones. At the same time, it promotes sustainable land practices such as urban agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

The Social Advancement performance of the TransJakarta BRT

Public transport, at its best, offers more than speedy transit; it lays the groundwork for social equity inside the jostle of a busy city. Trans-Jakarta demonstrates how judiciously placed buses can elevate poorer neighborhoods, tighten travel times, and install an everyday sense of safety.

1. Enhancing Safety: Passenger safety has become a defining feature of TransJakarta. Road accidents have dropped by 54% due to improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as city-wide safety campaigns. Women’s safety is taken seriously, with women-only carriages, anti-harassment messages, and officers present at all stations. These efforts are working, with more than 80% of women passengers reporting feeling safe while using TransJakarta (Nugraha, 2022). Even simple services like lost-and-found have gone digital, making it easier for passengers to recover items through mobile reporting (Tobing & Mawardi, 2025).
2. Promoting Equity: TransJakarta is designed for universal access, serving low-income groups, people with disabilities, and the elderly. School buses are available for students with special needs, and fares are either deeply subsidised or fully waived for groups like retirees, civil servants, educators, and people over 60. A Care Service even offers door-to-door transport for passengers with disabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind.
3. Strengthening Communities: TransJakarta goes beyond just moving people—it helps connect them. Stations and surrounding areas have evolved into community spaces, promoting interaction and urban vibrancy. The TransJakarta Academy is one standout example. Through this initiative, women are being trained and empowered to become bus drivers, opening up new paths for employment and participation (Rusdiyono, 2025). These programs are not only building stronger communities but also reinforcing the social resilience needed for sustainable cities.
4. Enhancing Quality of Life: Reliable, clean, and affordable transit is key to improving everyday life in cities. TransJakarta helps reduce traffic jams, lower air and noise pollution, and streamline daily commutes. The launch of JakLingko, an integrated ticketing system that unifies multiple transport modes under one payment platform, has made travel across Jakarta easier and more efficient for everyone. This kind of practical, people-first innovation brings public services closer to the vision of a sustainable, human-centred city.

The Economic Prosperity performance of the TransJakarta BRT

Public transportation, far from being a mere conduit for commuters, functions as a catalyst for urban economic dynamism. TransJakarta demonstrates that deliberate investment in clean, inclusive bus rapid transit can spark local innovation, widen the circle of opportunity, and embed resilience into the citys economic framework.

1. Promoting Innovation: Innovation is central to TransJakarta’s economic vision. Through strategic partnerships with companies like PT Bianglala Metropolitan, Damri, and VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas, the system is accelerating its transition to electric mobility. Beyond the private sector, TransJakarta has also secured collaborations with institutions such as the University of Oxford’s Transport Studies Unit, the University of Indonesia, and the Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Infrastructure (Redaksi, 2024). These relationships aren’t just about technology—they’re about building institutional capacity, technical know-how, and long-term sustainability.
2. Increasing Accessibility: From a single corridor in 2004, TransJakarta has evolved into a network of over 13 main corridors and more than 260 routes, now serving 87% of Jakarta’s population (Badan Pusat Statistik, 2025). The system has expanded into peri-urban zones that once had limited or no access to public transport. As a result, millions more people can now commute to work, school, healthcare, or marketplaces more affordably and efficiently.
3. Reducing Transportation Costs: At just Rp 3,500 per ride, with many feeder services offered at no cost, TransJakarta offers one of the most affordable transport options in Jakarta (Kenzu & Kurmala, 2025). These fares are heavily subsidised by the Jakarta Provincial Government, which also covers operational and maintenance costs. Lower transportation expenses mean more money stays in people’s pockets, boosting spending power and productivity while making green transport the economical choice for residents and small businesses alike.
4. Fostering Economic Resilience: With over 1.3 million daily users, TransJakarta is not only vital for Jakarta’s current economy—it also supports continuity in times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the system-maintained service for essential workers, adopting strict health protocols to keep operations running safely (ITDP Indonesia, 2021). That kind of operational resilience is key for urban economies navigating unexpected shocks and highlights how transport systems can provide stability during disruptions.

Lessons Learned from TransJakarta for Sub-Saharan African Cities

TransJakarta is more than a bus list; it shows how one route network can deliver both climate dividends and equity gains. The experience lands squarely in the path of Sub-Saharan cities that are sprinting toward population peaks while warning about a warming planet.

1. Policy Direction: TransJakarta’s success stems from strong political will and clear, enforceable policies that prioritise public transport within urban planning. Sub-Saharan African cities should adopt bold policies that limit car dependence and align transport with green economy goals. Clear regulations build investor confidence, support consistent planning, and foster public backing.
2. Investment: TransJakarta’s investment extended beyond buses to include sidewalks, bike lanes, and electric vehicles, enhancing safety, accessibility, and environmental benefits. Sub-Saharan African cities can replicate this by strategically funding clean bus fleets, pedestrian infrastructure, and low-carbon technologies. The focus should be on building systems that improve health, inclusion, and climate resilience alongside mobility.
3. Financial Priorities: Maintaining affordability through public subsidies and private partnerships allows TransJakarta to serve vulnerable populations while gradually shifting to electric buses supported by blended financing. Sub-Saharan African cities must rethink funding by combining public budgets with private capital to support green transport. Prioritising affordable, sustainable mobility will reduce emissions, create economic opportunities, promote social equity, and strengthen resilience against future disruptions.

Conclusion

TransJakarta offers a practical illustration of what emerges when public transport is viewed as an engine of urban environmental policy rather than a mere utility. By coupling electric and environmentally friendly bus fleets with deliberate inclusivity mandates and adaptive roadway designs, Jakarta has begun to shrink its carbon footprint while expanding rider access and spurring local technology trials. The big lesson? The central takeaway is straightforward yet profound: sustainable transit cannot sit in isolation from broader economic planning; it must be the integrative spine of the green economy. When policy direction, capital deployment, and financial architecture synchronize around sustainability goals delivers results, the payoff ripples outward to cleaner air, stronger communities, and more resilient economies.