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EN
To express deep gratitude and honor the immense contributions of Indonesian women to the building and development of the country, the Jakarta capital government carried out a meaningful and practical action on April 21st.
To commemorate Kartini Day, a special holiday honoring the birth of national heroine Raden Ajeng Kartini, who pioneered the struggle for equality and the advancement of Indonesian women, Jakarta has decided to offer completely free fares to all female passengers using the city's key public transportation, including its modern bus system and extensive urban train network.
Female passengers will be exempt from using Jakarta's public transportation on Kartini Day.
The significant decision by the Jakarta city government comes just days after an international event, when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) solemnly inscribed a vast collection of heartfelt handwritten letters by national heroine Raden Ajeng Kartini into the Memory of the World Register.
Born in 1879 into a prestigious Javanese aristocratic family, RA Kartini has been honored and celebrated as a shining symbol of the women's empowerment movement, thanks to her tireless efforts and forward-thinking vision in promoting gender equality and protecting women's legitimate rights in the context of Indonesia still under Dutch colonial rule.
The Jakarta government in Indonesia is offering free public transportation fares to female passengers on the city's buses and trains.
The special Kartini Day fare waiver program is widely available to all female passengers using key public transportation services in Jakarta. Specifically, the program includes the modern Transjakarta Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, the flexible Mikrotrans minibus network, as well as the advanced Jakarta MRT and Jakarta LRT urban rail lines, offering maximum convenience for women traveling throughout the city.
The Kartini Day fare waiver program applies to all female passengers of the Transjakarta Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Mikrotrans minibus services, as well as the Jakarta MRT and Jakarta LRT rail services.
However, taxi services, being a private form of transportation, are not included in this program. This gift of free public transportation is a testament to the city's deep affection and concern for all women and girls living and working in Jakarta.
In addition to free fares, the city's transportation authority has also specially allocated a dedicated lane for female passengers at each train station and bus terminal. Female passengers who choose to board public transport from these priority lanes will not have any fare deductions from their cash cards, ensuring a convenient and fast travel experience.
The free public transport program is a gift from the city to all women and girls in the capital.
The Jakarta government anticipates that this meaningful free fare program will provide tangible benefits to over 1.2 million commuters who use the city's public transportation system daily. Notably, Jakarta is also implementing a similar free fare program, applicable to all passengers regardless of gender, on April 24th, to solemnly commemorate National Public Transportation Day, demonstrating a deep commitment to developing a sustainable transportation system and serving the community.
This is an opportunity for the country to send a strong message about respect, recognition, and investment in the potential of women. In the context of a nation constantly striving for progress and development, creating favorable conditions for women to participate in all aspects of social life is not only a humane act but also a strategic step, contributing to building a more civilized, progressive, and prosperous society.
