Indonesia boosts urban transport workforce with seven regions

hartono · Apr 21, 2026

Head of the Transportation Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMP) at the Ministry of Transportation Suharto (left) attends the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoU) and cooperation agreements (PKS) between BPSDMP and seven local governments, held at the Makassar Polytechnic of Maritime Studies (PIP Makassar), South Sulawesi. /ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Transportation.

Jakarta (ANTARA) -

Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry has partnered with seven local governments to strengthen urban transport human resources through training and competency development to support safer and more sustainable mobility.

"Competent human resources are essential to manage and minimize transportation problems,” said Suharto, head of the Transportation Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMP), in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The cooperation involves the city of Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi and the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi, along with Banggai District in Central Sulawesi, Kolaka Timur District in Southeast Sulawesi, Buton Tengah District in Southeast Sulawesi, Konawe Selatan District in Southeast Sulawesi, and Muna District in Southeast Sulawesi.

The agreements were formalized through memoranda of understanding signed in Makassar, South Sulawesi, aimed at improving transport governance at the regional level.

Suharto said urban transport systems face growing challenges, including congestion, weak intermodal integration, high logistics costs, and worsening air pollution.

A 2018 ministry survey showed only 8.18 percent of local transport officials met required staffing and technical needs, contributing to delays in resolving transportation issues.

"Issues are not resolved completely and quickly. That is the origin of why we established training schools,” he said.

He added that transport development requires strong coordination between central and regional governments, as transport systems are interconnected beyond administrative boundaries.

Suharto said the initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita agenda, with five of eight priorities linked to transportation.

The ministry has also signed similar agreements with East Java Province; the city of Cirebon in West Java; the city of Salatiga in Central Java; the city of Madiun in East Java; Semarang District in Central Java; Tebo District in Jambi; Natuna District in Riau Islands; Banyuasin District and Musi Banyuasin District in South Sumatra; and Kulon Progo District in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.