The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) Indonesia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, has launched a set of strategic recommendations and a comprehensive Roadmap for the Electrification of Public Transportation in three Indonesian cities − Pekanbaru, Surabaya, and Surakarta.

This initiative marks the continuation of ITDP’s effort − supported by ViriyaENB since 2023 − to accelerate urban public transport electrification across Indonesia. The program also reinforces Indonesia’s national target to achieve 100 percent electrification of public transport by 2040.

The roadmap document was formally handed over by Gonggomtua Sitanggang, Southeast Asia Director of ITDP, to Ahmad Yani, Secretary of the Directorate General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, during a ceremony in Pekanbaru, Riau on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

“Public transport electrification is entering a new phase with the development of electric vehicle-based services by the ministry, regional governments, and the private sector,” Ahmad Yani said on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

He added that the ministry, along with ITDP, ViriyaENB, and other stakeholders, will follow up the study with the development of a Transformation Roadmap for Pedestrian- and Cyclist-Friendly urban areas.

Suzanty Sitorus, Executive Director of ViriyaENB, stressed the importance of integrating service reform with electrification.

“Electrification must go hand-in-hand with a comprehensive overhaul of public transport systems,” she said.

She emphasized that such a combination is key to building a more equitable, sustainable, and low-emission mobility ecosystem, especially in densely populated urban areas.

“We see this study as a strategic step, not only providing direction to local governments but also offering practical learning opportunities for cities across Indonesia,” Suzanty said.

She reaffirmed ViriyaENB’s commitment to supporting zero-emission initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to both the environment and the public.

The study finds that electrification alone − such as replacing fleets with electric buses − is insufficient. According to ITDP, successful transition requires system-wide reform to ensure that public transportation is reliable, efficient, and accessible for all citizens.

The roadmap outlines four key strategies:

• Improvement of public transport services
  ITDP recommends enhancing service integration, point-to-point connectivity, and first-mile/last-mile accessibility to ensure a high-quality experience for users in Pekanbaru, Surabaya, and Surakarta.
• Modification of operational contract models
  The second phase of the study suggests revising existing public transport operational contracts to optimize budget use while maintaining service standards. It also aims to reduce long-term Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Roadmap for electric bus implementation and charging infrastructure
  The plan includes phased implementation of electric buses, infrastructure planning for overnight and opportunity charging systems, and forecasting fleet and investment needs to reach the 2040 electrification target.
• Regulatory and fiscal support from national and local governments
  ITDP calls for robust regulatory backing, including national electrification roadmaps, technical planning guidelines, and policy frameworks. Additionally, early-stage funding, fiscal incentives, and alternative financing schemes are essential to overcome high initial investment barriers.