Indonesia’s public bus operator develops AI to improve services

Indonesia’s public bus operator develops AI to improve services

Tech in Asia·2025-07-18 17:01

Transjakarta, Jakarta’s public transportation operator, is developing three AI technologies to enhance its services and operations.

This initiative is part of the company’s digital transformation strategy.

Director of information technology systems and services at Transjakarta Raditya Maulana Rusdi announced the development of an AI Agent, AI Vision, and a recommendation engine.

These technologies aim to create a more efficient public transport system.

The AI Agent will use generative AI to facilitate natural interactions with customers through chatbots and text-to-speech features.

It will provide real-time assistance, including route updates and bus arrival times. Additionally, it will help with lost items.

AI Vision will apply computer vision technology to analyze CCTV data. It will monitor passenger density at bus stops and track fleet movements to improve operational efficiency.

Transjakarta has also introduced a Driver Monitoring System (DMS) to evaluate driver behavior in real-time, ensuring safety.

The recommendation engine will study service data and travel patterns. It will generate recommendations for new routes, adjustments to fleet frequency, and potential partnerships based on data insights.

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🔗 Source: Liputan6.com

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ AI adoption in transit mirrors global success patterns with measurable returns

Transjakarta’s AI initiatives follow proven implementations from major transit agencies worldwide, where similar technologies have already delivered substantial benefits.

The New York MTA successfully used AI to detect 92% of track defects before human inspectors could identify them, significantly enhancing safety and maintenance efficiency 1.

In Shanghai, AI-powered on-demand bus service adjusts routes based on real-time passenger requests, demonstrating how smart routing systems like Transjakarta’s planned recommendation engine can improve service flexibility 1.

Transportation AI applications globally have shown the ability to reduce maintenance costs by 10-20% through predictive systems, while smart traffic management can decrease congestion by up to 25% 2.

Transjakarta’s three-pronged approach combining customer service AI, vision systems, and data analytics reflects the comprehensive strategy that has proven effective in other major urban transportation networks.

2️⃣ Jakarta’s historical ridership data suggests AI-optimized connections could drive significant growth

TransJakarta’s historical expansion data reveals specific opportunities where AI could target improvements with measurable impact on ridership.

When the system improved direct connections between 2016-2020, ridership increased by 16%, while routes with reduced travel times saw even larger gains of 27% 3.

The AI recommendation engine being developed could strategically identify these high-impact connection improvements based on actual usage patterns rather than assumptions.

A 10% decrease in wait times previously correlated with a 2.9% increase in BRT ridership, providing a clear metric for AI systems to target through better fleet management and scheduling 3.

Jakarta’s specific transportation challenges, including urban congestion that contributed to over 204,000 traffic accidents in 2022, highlight the need for AI-enhanced coordination and safety monitoring systems 4.

3️⃣ Success hinges on integration with broader infrastructure modernization efforts

Transjakarta’s AI initiatives will need to connect with Indonesia’s emerging technology infrastructure to deliver their full potential.

Indonesia’s development of 5G networks and smart city initiatives, including pilot projects for traffic lights in Bandung, provide essential infrastructure that can maximize the effectiveness of AI-powered transportation systems 4.

Transit agencies that successfully implement AI typically integrate it with multiple data streams and systems, as seen in Transport for London’s use of AI for providing accurate bus arrival times that enhance rider confidence 1.

The transportation AI market is projected to triple from $2.11 billion in 2024 to $6.51 billion by 2031, reflecting the growing recognition of AI’s value in addressing transit challenges 2.

Transjakarta’s emphasis on cultural and organizational change alongside the technology implementation aligns with best practices seen in successful AI adoptions, where human factors are addressed alongside technological ones.

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