Hoping to Fix the Canggu Traffic Nightmare in 2023

Jakarta will enforce a full Car Free Night (CFN) on New Year’s Eve 2025, closing Jakarta’s main corridor from Jalan Jenderal Sudirman to Jalan MH Thamrin on 31 December 2025. The area, known as the city’s busiest business and commercial hub, will transform into a pedestrian-only celebration zone for the countdown to 2026.

The Metropolitan Police Traffic Directorate (Ditlantas Polda Metro Jaya) confirmed that special traffic engineering will be deployed to support events concentrated across the Sudirman–Thamrin stretch. The Jakarta Provincial Government will set up eight entertainment stages, creating a large-scale pedestrian festival and tightening crowd control throughout the night.

“For New Year’s Eve on 31 December 2025, we received the activity plan from the Jakarta Provincial Government that there will be eight stages spread from the Horse Statue Roundabout to Senayan Roundabout,” said Kompol Robby Hefados, Operations Head of Ditlantas Polda Metro Jaya on 28 December 2025, as quoted by Kompas.

As a result, all access to Sudirman–Thamrin will be restricted from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Authorities advise residents and visitors to plan detours in advance or arrive early if they want to join the celebration. Public transportation and parking spots outside the restricted zone are recommended to prevent congestion.

“Traffic will be closed from the Horse Statue Roundabout to Senayan Roundabout from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM,” Robby added.

The city’s bus network will also be impacted. 31 TransJakarta routes that normally pass through central Jakarta will undergo temporary adjustments or diversions.

According to Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Syafrin Liputo, the diversions are unavoidable as stages and crowd zones will occupy several road sections, including key points like Lapangan Banteng and throughout the Sudirman–Thamrin corridor. He also noted that TransJakarta buses may still operate early in the closure window before full restrictions are enforced depending on crowd conditions.

“TransJakarta can still pass at 6:00 PM, and the full closure will be situational—possibly around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM based on real-time conditions,” Syafrin explained.

MRT Jakarta Extends Service to 2:00 AM

With road access sealed and buses rerouted, MRT Jakarta becomes the most reliable alternative to reach the Car Free Night zone. Key stations within walking distance of the celebration include:

Bundaran HI
Dukuh Atas BNI
Setiabudi Astra
Bendungan Hilir
Istora Mandiri
Senayan Mastercard

MRT operations will be extended until 2:00 AM on New Year’s Eve. On 31 December 2025, trains run from 5:00 AM to midnight, before resuming from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM on 1 January 2026. Normal service resumes on 2 January 2026. To manage crowd surges, MRT Jakarta will deploy extra staff, increase ticket stock, and optimize gate scanners at stations.

As New Year’s Eve typically draws heavy public transport usage in Jakarta, passengers are advised to plan return trips carefully to avoid last-minute congestion.

Source: Kompas

Photo Credit: ANTARA FOTO/HAFIDZ MUBARAK A

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