Jakarta's targeted publictransport subsidy turns heads

Jakarta's plan to introduce targeted subsidies across the city'sthree main modes of public transportation has drawn a bevyof mixed responses, with some experts lauding the movewhile others are vexed about potential data misuse.

In September, the city administration announced a plan toalter the pricing for the Transjakarta bus network and themass rapid transit (MRT) and light rail transit (LRT) linesusing account-based ticketing (ABT), which adjusts tariffsbased on the identity and economic status of passengers.

Currently, passengers using electronic card ticketing and ORcodes for public transportation integrated through thecapital's JakLingko system can get subsidized fares, but theyare not targeted at any specific group.