Jakarta vs. Manila: Which City's Traffic Congestion is Worse?

Both Jakarta and Manila are notorious for heavy traffic congestion. While Jakarta is often cited as having more severe traffic issues, several factors can explain why Jakarta's traffic remains worse than Manila, despite its better infrastructure. Let's explore the reasons behind this disparity.

Why Jakarta's Traffic is Worse Despite Better Infrastructure?

Despite Jakarta's superior road infrastructure, its traffic congestion remains worse than Manila's. This paradox can be explained by several economic and social factors.

Economic and Purchasing Power

One of the primary reasons for Jakarta's worse traffic is the purchasing power of its citizens. On average, Jakartans earn higher income compared to Manila residents, with an annual income of around 17,374 Rupiah, compared to 8,861 Philippine Pesos for Metro Manila residents. This higher income means that more Jakartans can afford to own vehicles, increasing the number of private vehicles on the roads. In contrast, while Manila also experiences traffic congestion, the higher cost of living and limited public transportation options make it less likely for residents to own cars.

Public Transportation Preferences

Jakarta has more options for public transportation, including the Mass Rapid Transit (MRTJ) and Light Rail Transit (LRTJ). However, the private car culture among Jakartans, influenced by their higher purchasing power, makes public transportation less attractive. Additionally, the congestion on the wider roads of Jakarta can make it less appealing to use public transport compared to the more compact and densely populated Manila. This is further exacerbated by a lack of biking habits in Jakarta, where more people can afford and choose motorcycles over bicycles. The prevalence of motorcycles in Jakarta can further contribute to traffic congestion.

Gasoline Prices and Vehicle Ownership

Another factor is the cost of gasoline. In Jakarta, residents enjoy cheaper fuel compared to Manila, which makes it more tempting to use private vehicles. This leads to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, contributing to traffic congestion. Meanwhile, Manila's broader focus on walking and public transportation makes it less inclined to rely on private vehicles, thus reducing traffic congestion.

Historical and Socioeconomic Context

Historically, Jakarta has focused more on highway development before investing in railways, which explains why it is operating MRTJ and LRTJ later than expected. On the other hand, Manila has had the MRT and LRT system for several years, despite its current limitations in capacity and efficiency. The MRT and LRT in Manila, when fully operational, can carry up to 650,000 passengers per day, which is still less efficient compared to Jakarta's KRL system, which can carry 12 million people daily.

Conclusion

While both cities face significant traffic challenges, Jakarta's traffic congestion is generally worse due to factors such as higher income, motorcycle culture, and the socio-economic dynamics that influence transportation choices. This highlights the importance of not only infrastructure development but also socio-economic policies to effectively manage urban traffic congestion.

Keywords

Jakarta traffic, Manila traffic, traffic congestion