Jakarta’s first subway line poised to revitalise Indonesian capital’s property market
- Quicker commute on Indonesia’s first subway line to help lift rents and occupancy of offices in Jakarta’s central business district
For Clara Rimba, a 35-year-old wife of a pastor in Tangerang, on the western outskirts of Jakarta, getting stuck in the city’s notorious traffic jams was the norm.
So when the Jakarta MRT, Indonesia’s first subway started running in March, she was thrilled, knowing that it would ease her commute to attend prayer meetings.
“The worst traffic jam I experienced was getting stuck for six hours, so the new train will be good and will help commuters have a faster and more convenient travel,” Rimba said.
Dina Sasti Damayanti, 43, and a media analyst at market intelligence provider Indonesia Indicator, said the new subway has become the main choice of transport for Jakarta residents, particularly those who live in the suburbs.
Jakarta, like several other cities in Southeast Asia, is notorious for its gridlock, with commuters estimated to spend 63 hours a year or more than two and a half days stuck in traffic jams.