The Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing to trial a Car Free Night (CFN) initiative along the Sudirman–Thamrin corridor in response to the growing trend of nighttime physical activity among city residents.
The program, which mirrors the popular Car Free Day (CFD) held every Sunday morning, aims to transform parts of the capital into vehicle-free zones on Saturday nights.
“Many people are now choosing to exercise at night. That’s why we’re planning to test a Car Free Night starting at 10 p.m., still in the Sudirman-Thamrin area,” said Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno during a CFD event on Sunday, June 8, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.
CFN is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. on Saturdays and extend past midnight. The goal is not only to offer a healthier lifestyle but also to promote a more vibrant and joyful urban atmosphere during weekends.
To enhance public engagement, the city plans to launch CFN with a cultural celebration featuring traditional Betawi performances, including pencak silat, traditional dance, music, and local culinary delights. These events will be held at popular CFD spots such as Dukuh Atas, GBK Senayan, and the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, with a target of 5,000 participants on June 29, 2025.
Authorities Still Evaluating CFN Feasibility
While public response appears positive, the Jakarta administration is still reviewing the technical and social impacts of the CFN plan. According to Chico Hakim, Special Staff for Public Communications to the Governor and Deputy Governor, the proposal remains under assessment.
“It’s not final yet. We are still studying the proposal. We’re reviewing routes, timing, mall and restaurant operations, and regular worker mobility in the area. Everything must be assessed in detail so the policy doesn’t harm anyone,” he added.” Chico confirmed on June 9, 2025, as quoted by kompas.com.
He emphasized the importance of analyzing the effect of CFN on local businesses, traffic flow, and public transport.
Meanwhile, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) is also evaluating CFN’s potential traffic implications. He noted the need to analyze vehicle volume, public activity, and the best roads to close at night.
“We’re coordinating with the Transportation Department. The decision will depend on multiple considerations,” said Traffic Director Kombes Pol Komarudin, as cited by suarapemerintah.id.
City Council Backs Plan, Urges Transport and Security Support
The Jakarta City Council (DPRD) has expressed support for the CFN initiative. Council member Dwi Rio Sambodo recommended extending Transjakarta, MRT, and Mikrotrans operational hours and integrating drop-off zones near CFN locations to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
“To ensure orderly public spaces, street vendors must be well-managed, and there should be designated zones for MSMEs. We must evaluate its impact on the economy, traffic, and public sentiment before making it permanent,” Rio told rm.id.
He also called for stronger collaboration between the police, civil service (Satpol PP), and local communities to prevent crime and manage crowd control, especially in busy areas like Thamrin and SCBD.
To ensure success, Rio suggested a pilot run at Bundaran HI and Kota Tua over 1–2 months before a full-scale rollout.
Deputy Governor Rano Karno emphasized that both CFD and CFN are part of Jakarta’s broader strategy to create a healthier, happier, and more livable city.
“Car-free programs help reduce carbon emissions and promote Jakarta as a joyful global city,” he said.
Source: antaranews.com, kompas.com, suarapemerintah.id, rm.id
Special Photo Credit: (ANTARA FOTO/GALIH PRADIPTA)
