Jakarta Reopens Car Free Day on Rasuna Said

JAKARTA — Jakartaweekly.com — The Jakarta Provincial Government officially resumed Car Free Day (CFD) activities along Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said in Setiabudi, South Jakarta, on Sunday, marking the opening of a new public space aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles, reducing emissions, and expanding recreational options for residents.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the launch of the new Car Free Day corridor received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public. According to him, the Kuningan area has strong potential to become a new hub for community activities due to its strategic location, comfortable environment, and easy access to public transportation.

“Today, the Jakarta Provincial Government officially begins Car Free Day activities on Jalan Rasuna Said, or Kuningan. Around 95 to 96 percent of the residents I met hope that this Car Free Day will become a permanent and sustainable activity,” Pramono said after walking with residents during the event.

The governor noted that the Rasuna Said route provides an alternative to the long-established Car-Free Day area along Sudirman–Thamrin. In addition to walking, jogging, and cycling, he expects the new location to serve as a welcoming public space where residents can gather and socialize.

“I see tremendous potential in Kuningan. Looking at the scenery, the air quality, and the accessibility, I am confident this will become a new Car-Free Day landmark in Jakarta. It will be a place where people can exercise, connect with one another, and enjoy a more comfortable public space,” he said.

The Car Free Day program on Rasuna Said runs from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. To support the event, the city administration prepared 10 alternative traffic routes, four off-street parking facilities with a combined capacity of 1,914 cars and 1,910 motorcycles, and public transportation access through seven TransJakarta Jabodebek routes and two LRT lines.

Special traffic arrangements were also introduced to ensure access to the Saudi Arabian Embassy. A dedicated lane was established from Jalan Karet Raya to the embassy entrance, allowing environmentally friendly and electric vehicles to enter and exit the area during the event.

Beyond sports and recreation, the new Car Free Day initiative was also used to strengthen public awareness of waste segregation. An educational campaign called the Waste Sorting Parade was held along a 1.8-kilometer stretch in the Epicentrum Rasuna Said area, involving environmental groups and community organizations.

The Jakarta administration provided 30 segregated waste bins, two trucks for inorganic waste collection, waste-weighing facilities, and sanitation personnel stationed throughout the area. The program also involved regional government agencies, environmental communities, city-owned enterprises, small businesses, and residents.

Pramono emphasized that waste sorting should become a daily habit rather than merely a response to government regulations. Effective waste management, he said, must begin at home and within local communities.

“Our goal is to make waste sorting part of everyday behavior. It should not be done only because of Governor Instruction No. 5 of 2026, but because it becomes a shared movement. Proper waste management starts at home and in our neighborhoods,” he said.

During the event, Jakarta Waste Sorting Ambassador and actress Cinta Laura encouraged residents, particularly younger generations, to play a more active role in protecting the environment.

“As young people, we often complain about dirty streets, air pollution, or waste problems. But instead of blaming others, we should change our habits and realize that we are also part of the problem and therefore part of the solution,” she said.

Cinta stressed that waste management does not end when trash is thrown into a bin. Residents must ensure that waste is properly separated so it can be processed, reused, and recycled more effectively.

“My presence here is to remind everyone, especially young people, to take responsibility and consistently do positive things. Through those actions, we can create real change in Jakarta,” she said.

She added that the new Car Free Day area offers broader social benefits by encouraging people to be more active, engage with others, and make better use of public spaces.

“Environmental issues are fundamentally human issues. I hope public spaces like this encourage people to move more, interact more, and socialize more often, ultimately improving the quality of life for Jakarta residents,” she said.