Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation is pushing for the strengthening of urban mass transit systems to slash fuel subsidy costs, while simultaneously easing traffic congestion, cutting pollution, and reducing commuting costs.The ministry's Director General of Land Transportation, Aan Suhanan, said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday that transportation expenses consume up to 30 to 40 percent of people's income.”This sector also accounts for 90 percent of the Rp300 trillion (around US$16.7 billion) annual fuel subsidy,” he added.According to him, this imbalance triggers issues, ranging from longer commute times and financial losses caused by congestion, air pollution, and barriers limiting public access to education and employment.To tackle these challenges, the government is continuously developing urban mass transit systems across 20 major cities, in line with the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).He noted that the program aims to cut travel times, improve accessibility, and optimize urban areas to serve as centers for economic growth.”Developing urban mass transit requires integrated planning, joint funding between central and regional governments, and robust governance. This is expected to create a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient transportation system,” Suhanan said.To support regions' transportation digitization efforts, the Ministry of Transportation is also providing the Mitra Darat application to help operators swiftly improve service quality through measurable performance tracking.Other forms of support include a digital checker application for monitoring compliance with minimum service standards by bus operators, and a checker web portal to track and review standard compliance performance.The Ministry of Transportation also praised the commitment of regional governments, including the Batam City Government, which has optimized the Trans Batam bus rapid transit (BRT) service by expanding its fleet in 2026.Suhanan emphasized that strengthening public transportation services through BRT development is a crucial step toward supporting efficient public mobility.“Providing efficient public transportation can reduce the financial burden on communities caused by high commuting costs and congestion, while also serving as an effort to prevent an energy crisis,” he said.