PT. Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) conducted trial for low deck electric buses on Blok M-Jakarta City Hall (EV1) route. During trial period for the next three months, passengers will be not charged.

All Transjakarta conventional buses will be replaced gradually with electric buses

The trial launch of Higer electric bus made by PT. Higer Maju Indonesia (HMI) was carried out at PT. Transjakarta Office in Cawang, East Jakarta, Friday (9/10).

Electric bus is operated to support Battery-Based Electric Motor Vehicle (KBLBB) program which refers to Government Regulation No. 55/2019 concerning Acceleration of Battery Electric Vehicle Program for Road Transportation which issued on August 8, 2019.

The use of this type of eco-friendly vehicle also refers to Jakarta Government's Instruction No. 66/2019 on Air Quality Control in Jakarta and is a mandate for PT. Transjakarta in Regional Strategic Activities (KSD) No. 71 on Air Pollution Control.

PT. Transjakarta President Director, Sardjono Jhony Tjitrokusumo mentioned, this trial was carried out to follow up the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PT. Transjakarta and PT. HMI which was held on September 1, 2021.

"Today, we are able to test electric buses. We will continue to limit customers, which is maximum 25 passengers, including those who are standing," he stated.

This trial was carried out as one of stages in an effort to realize the plan of use electric buses that are more eco-friendly.

"All Transjakarta conventional buses will be replaced gradually with electric buses. We have started testing various services using electric buses since last year," he conveyed.

He expected this trial can be a small step for a big leap in the mass transportation sector in the future, such as low or even zero emissions.

He assessed that it surely can reduce air pollution, reduce Indonesia's dependence on imported fuel and in the end can make Indonesia a center for electric vehicles and batteries production.

"We want it to strengthen electric vehicle ecosystem in our country, inspire many people to switch to various types of electric vehicles and motivate people to love our public transportation even more," he expressed.

For information, Higer electric bus has several advantages compared to conventional bus, such as it doesn't cause pollution, relatively low maintenance cost and long battery life.

Battery can be recharged for maximum three hours and Higer electric bus can travel up to 250 kilometers. In addition, this bus has also other advantages, such as wide doors for customers thus wheelchair users can freely enter bus from the front door or back door.

Besides, wheelchair users also get a wider area on the bus than wheelchair area on conventional bus. This mode of transportation is more inclusive and user-friendly.

Previously, PT. Transjakarta had also tested two electric buses in 2020. PT. Transjakarta continues to open wide opportunities for other bus providers to cooperate with Transjakarta in providing safe and comfortable electric buses.