Jakarta Fair Traffic: Kemayoran Congestion Traps Visitors for Hours

Severe traffic congestion plagued the Jakarta Fair (PRJ) area in kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on the evening of June 27, 2025, leaving many visitors stuck in gridlock for hours. Frustrated attendees reported significant delays and difficulties exiting the event. The Jakarta Fair, a major annual trade and entertainment event, attracts large crowds, often straining the surrounding infrastructure.

Commuters Detail Hours-Long Delays Near Jakarta Fair

Desi, one of the visitors caught in the congestion, reported leaving the PRJ grounds at 4:30 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) in an attempt to avoid the anticipated traffic. However,she found herself stuck on Jalan benjamin Sueb for over four hours. “at 16:30 WIB, I was afraid of traffic jams,” Desi stated, “It turned out that from the parking lot, 16.30 WIB just arrived at Jalan Benjamin Sueb, coming out of Gate 6 at 16:30, Semarang at 20.30 was still on Jalan Benjamin Sueb.”

Did You Know? Jakarta’s traffic congestion is estimated to cost the economy billions of dollars annually due to lost productivity and increased fuel consumption, according to a 2023 study by the University of Indonesia [1].

Contributing Factors: Parked Cars and Street Vendors

Desi further noted that the congestion was worsened by numerous cars parked along the roadside and the presence of street vendors,which further constricted traffic flow. “Now that the condition of the Benyamin Sueb road in the direction of Ancol has a lot of cars parked on the side of the road,on the lane,it’s already chaos,” she explained.

The extended idling in traffic also led to an unexpected consequence for Desi, as her vehicle ran out of gasoline. “Earlier, I didn’t fill the gasoline before because I didn’t think that it was badly jammed. It turned out that three hours stopped blinking too,” she added.

Police Respond to Kemayoran Traffic Crisis

Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner Susatyo Purnomo Condro confirmed that the police were aware of the traffic situation and were taking steps to address it. “The crowd in the PRJ. We help,” said Susatyo, indicating that law enforcement was deployed to manage the congestion.

Pro Tip: Consider using real-time traffic apps like waze or Google maps to find option routes and avoid congested areas during major events.

Jakarta Fair Congestion: A Recurring Problem?

Traffic congestion around large events like the Jakarta Fair is a recurring challenge in Jakarta, a city known for its heavy traffic.Several factors contribute to these issues, including high population density, limited road capacity, and increasing vehicle ownership. Public transportation options, while improving, still face challenges in meeting the demands of the city’s population.

Long-Term Solutions for Jakarta Traffic

Addressing Jakarta’s traffic woes requires a multi-faceted approach, including investments in public transportation, improved traffic management systems, and stricter enforcement of parking regulations. The expansion of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) networks are crucial steps in providing viable alternatives to private vehicles. Additionally, promoting carpooling and implementing congestion pricing in certain areas could help reduce traffic volume.

What measures do you think would be most effective in alleviating Jakarta’s traffic congestion? How can event organizers better manage traffic flow around large events like the Jakarta Fair?

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