Youth Insights on the Operations Behind Jakarta’s MRT System and Urban Mobility
Jakarta, 10 July 2026 – As the final activity in the joint company visit series attended by students from BINUS University and Macquarie University on July 7, the visit to Mass Rapid Transportation (MRT) Jakarta offered a distinctive learning experience. It gave the students chances to learn about the city’s transportation system from MRT Jakarta experts and then traveled through the city from Dukuh Atas to Lebak Bulus station.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Franky Ertanto, Head of Stakeholder Relationship Management at MRT Jakarta, welcomed the students and expressed his excitement about collaborating with BINUS University and Macquarie University. For him, the younger generation has an important role to play, not only in supporting the use of integrated public transportation, but also in developing smarter and more innovative mobility systems in the future.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“The future of urban mobility will depend on how effectively industry, technology, and education work together. MRT Jakarta hopes to contribute to this future by partnering with universities on talent development, professional competency, and innovation. We see BINUS University and Macquarie University as potential partners in creating internship opportunities and developing initiatives that inspire more people to understand and embrace public transportation,” said Franky.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
As one of the world’s busiest cities, Jakarta needs a transportation system that can keep pace with its rapid growth and evolving mobility needs. The launch of MRT Jakarta in 2019 marked an important step toward making urban travel more efficient while supporting economic growth across the city.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
More than 180 million passenger have been recorded on MRT Jakarta over the last seven years. It has become an essential part of everyday mobility in the capital by making transportation more accessible and integrated as well as improving infrastructure investment and the development of business centers, shopping districts, sports venues, and residential neighborhoods.
For Alrismany Abigail Sudjarwo, a Computer Science student at BINUS International, MRT Jakarta is already part of her daily routine. As a regular commuter, she shared her perspective on the system’s facilities and areas that could be further improved.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“I take the MRT every weekday, both in the morning and evening, after transferring from the LRT. Compared with other forms of public transportation, I think the MRT has some of the best and most complete facilities. One area that could be improved is the availability of travel information, which could be displayed more often and across more areas,” Alrismany shared.
As regular users of the Sydney Metro in Australia, the Macquarie University students were able to relate their experience in Sydney to their journey on MRT Jakarta. They found that both systems offer fast, punctual, and convenient transportation for navigating a busy city.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“The session allowed us to see a side of MRT Jakarta that passengers do not usually get to experience. We learned about the company’s internal operations, its digital transformation journey, and the role of stakeholder management. The insights shared by employees from different departments made the visit highly informative and valuable,” shared Ahmed Tanziful Haq, Information Systems and Business Analysis students at Macquarie University.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Arriving at Lebak Bulus Station marked the final moment of the students’ MRT journey and the conclusion of the joint company visit series. Each visit from PT Hitachi Channel Solutions Indonesia and PT Coca-Cola Indonesia to MRT Jakarta offered a different perspective on how organizations operate, innovate, and prepare for the future.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
“We plan to continue holding programs like this, whether for BINUS students or international students who visit our university. These activities are highly valuable because they allow students to experience the professional world before graduation. As a result, they can become more familiar with workplace environments and feel better prepared when they begin their careers,” said Rokoyah Andariani Amin, Overseas Program Manager at BINUS University.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)
Through this joint company visit series, BINUS students and our international peers gained valuable learning experiences to connect academic knowledge with practical industry experience and cultural exchange. By meeting professionals, observing workplace practices, and sharing perspectives across cultures, the students developed a stronger understanding of the skills, adaptability, and confidence needed in the professional world.
Author: Mita Adhisti | Editor: Aninda Rahmasari