At seven in the morning, Dukuh Atas already resembled an ant nest. Hundreds of people rushed from the KRL station, competing with TransJakarta passengers who had just arrived at Dukuh Atas 2 stop. Among them was Andi—a private company employee who switches modes three times daily to reach his office in Sudirman. "If it rains, it's worse. I get completely soaked while chasing the bus," he complained, pushing back his foldable raincoat. Andi is just one of millions of Jakarta residents longing for smooth transportation integration.
Now, that hope is beginning to take shape. Jakarta's Governor Pramono Anung announced that Dukuh Atas will be transformed into a six-modality hub—not just a regular station or terminal, but a fully integrated mobility center with a connecting pedestrian deck and *city check-in* facilities: a service allowing passengers to check in their luggage or flight boarding passes from the city center without having to arrive early at the airport.
Six Modes, One Roof—and One Deck
The six modes are the KRL Commuter Line, MRT Jakarta, TransJakarta, LRT Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta Airport Train, and the high-speed train Whoosh—which will stop at Dukuh Atas starting in 2026. Currently, the first five modes are already operational, but their meeting points are scattered: the underground KRL station, the surface-level TransJakarta stop, the second-floor MRT station, and the BNI City Airport Train station. Passengers have to walk on narrow sidewalks, even crossing busy roads.
A two-story-high pedestrian deck will connect all access points—without rain, without heat, and without crossing the road. "We want citizens no longer to have to leave the building to switch modes. Just go through the deck, and everything is connected," said Pramono in an interview at Balai Kota last Thursday.
This concept is not a dream. Tokyo has Shinjuku Station, Hong Kong has Kowloon Station, and Singapore has Paya Lebar—all relying on comfortable and uninterrupted pedestrian connections.
City Check-In: Not Just a Promise, But the First Step
The most revolutionary feature is *city check-in*. Airline passengers can check in their luggage and receive a boarding pass at Dukuh Atas, then board the Airport Train directly to the departure terminal. If realized, this will be the first such service in Indonesia. Currently, passengers still have to carry large suitcases from Dukuh Atas to the airport, then queue again at the check-in counter. *City check-in* is expected to cut time spent at the airport by up to 30 minutes.
The challenges are real: coordination with airlines, InJourney, airport authorities, and customs. "We are exploring partnerships. Hopefully, it will be operational within the next two years," said Pramono.
Traffic at a Vital Crossroads, Will It Decrease?
Dukuh Atas has long been one of the worst traffic bottlenecks—due to the collision of vehicle, pedestrian, and non-integrated transport flows. Data from DKI's Transportation Office shows that during peak hours, more than 50,000 vehicles pass through the area every hour. If half of private vehicle users switch to the integrated system, traffic in the area could drop by up to 20%.
Building Amidst the Hubbub: Real Technical Challenges
Building a deck in a densely populated area is no easy task. Narrow space, complex underground utility networks, and traffic that cannot be stopped are obstacles. Pramono mentioned that construction will be carried out in stages—using the *shifting* method, night work, and minimal disruption. "We cannot close the road entirely," he explained.
The project budget is still being finalized—estimated to be hundreds of billions of rupiah, sourced from APBD and potential KPBU schemes.
More Than Infrastructure: Economic Impact and Commuters' Hopes
If realized, the Dukuh Atas Integrated Transportation Hub will serve as a model for Blok M, Tanah Abang, and Pulo Gebang. Local economy is also expected to thrive: more people will stop, shop, or work in the area. For Andi and thousands of other commuters, this is not about a megaproject—but a promise to return home faster, without excessive sweat.
"I don't ask for luxury. What matters is comfort. If there is a city check-in, I can check in my luggage and go home without carrying heavy items. That would already be amazing," he said while waiting for the Bogor-bound KRL.
This project is still in the planning and environmental assessment phase. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the end of 2025. Jakarta residents are waiting—not with euphoria, but with anxious hope: will this time finally come true, or will it just be a political promise swallowed by time?