Motorcycles Impounded Without Warning
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, officers from the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) impounded several ojol motorcycles in the Thamrin, Kebon Sirih, and surrounding areas. Eyewitnesses reported that the drivers were waiting for passengers on the roadside—not in the main lane, not on the crosswalk, not in front of building exits. Yet, the officers proceeded. There were no warning letters. There was no time to remove belongings or helmets.
"We were just sitting. We didn't start the engine, we weren't stopped in a prohibited area. Then the motorcycles were taken. We didn't even have time to ask why," said a driver from Cilincing, who wished to remain anonymous.
Dishub's justification: parking in a prohibited area. But the question is simple—where else are they allowed to park? Designated ojol spots in the city center are still limited: only 12 locations are active out of a target of 50. Socialization of new regulations was also minimal—not through the app, not through community WhatsApp groups, not through banners at waiting spots.
Pramono Immediately Summons Head of Transportation Agency
Governor Pramono Anung reacted in less than 24 hours. On Wednesday morning, March 12, 2025, he held an emergency meeting at City Hall. The Head of Dishub was summoned—and given strict instructions: return all motorcycles *that same day*. No conditions. No administrative fees. No written statements.
"I have asked for all motorcycles to be returned. This issue must be resolved today—without drama, without victims, without additional losses for the drivers," Pramono told reporters.
He acknowledged system failures: weak inter-agency coordination, almost non-existent communication with drivers, and an enforcement approach that remained reactive—not preventive. "We cannot just impound motorcycles and say 'that's the rule'. Rules must be heard, understood, and implemented with fairness," he emphasized.
Daily Losses, Not Just Motorcycles
For ojol drivers, this incident wasn't about losing a vehicle—but losing income. One day without a motorcycle means zero earnings. Add to that the transportation costs to the Dishub storage facility in Cakung—which could reach Rp150,000 if using another ojol. Then there are parking fees, document printing costs, and lost time.
"My daily loss is usually Rp450,000–Rp500,000. If my motorcycle is impounded for two days, I have to borrow money to pay rent and buy milk for my children," said Andi, a driver with 7 years of experience from North Jakarta.
The public also felt the impact. During peak hours, ojol is often the only option: fast, efficient, and affordable. When the number of drivers decreases due to fear of impoundment, app queues lengthen—and many passengers end up choosing slower private cars or public minivans.
"I take an ojol every day. If they're afraid to wait for passengers, who will take me to the office when it rains? Who will bring medicine to my mother at the hospital?" asked Rina, a private employee from Menteng.
Concrete Promises, Not Empty Words
Pramono didn't stop at an apology. He announced three concrete steps:
- Evaluation of enforcement operations within 7 days—involving representatives from the ojol community and app providers;
- Accelerated development of 38 designated ojol parking spots, starting April 2025, focusing on shopping centers, stations, and hospitals;
- Integration of a 'safe parking' feature in the Gojek and Grab applications—which will provide automatic notifications when drivers enter restricted zones, complete with directions to the nearest parking spot.
However, Andi and his colleagues are still waiting. "The promises are good. But we need proof—not speeches," he said, while checking app notifications on his phone.
This incident is not about parking. It's about how a city treats the people who are the lifeblood of its mobility. Jakarta needs rules—but rules that have breath, have ears, and have empathy.