Depok, October 16, 2025 – Amid the growing challenges of developing Indonesia’s public transportation system, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) and PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) officially established a strategic collaboration on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The signing of this partnership marks a concrete step toward building the future of public transportation that is not only fast and convenient but also safe, healthy, and sustainable. The event, which brought together experts and practitioners, was complemented by a public lecture titled “Synergizing for the Safety and Sustainability of Indonesia’s Public Transportation” held at the Doctoral Promotion Room, FPH UI.
In her opening remarks, Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., emphasized the importance of the collaboration between FPH UI and PT MRT Jakarta Perseroda.
“The academic world must have a direct impact on society. This collaboration reflects FPH UI’s commitment to ensuring that knowledge does not stop at theory, but contributes broadly to public safety and sustainable transportation systems. Public transportation is not just about mobility; it is also a commitment to safety, energy efficiency, and environmental preservation,” stated Prof. Mondastri.
Meanwhile, Mega Indahwati Natangsa Tarigan, Director of Operations and Maintenance of PT MRT Jakarta, expressed her appreciation for the partnership with FPH UI.
“We hope that this synergy with FPH UI becomes an important step toward improving the quality of MRT Jakarta’s services. Our goal is to create public transportation that is healthy, safe, and sustainable,” she said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), drg. Baiduri Widanarko, M.K.K.K., Ph.D.; Manager for Cooperation, Alumni Relations, and Ventures, Prof. Indri Hapsari Susilowati, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D.; as well as practitioners and experts from government and academia.
To complement the signing ceremony, FPH UI and PT MRT Jakarta held a public lecture moderated by Dr. Eng. Stevan Deby Anbiya Muhamad Sunarno, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., a lecturer at the FPH UI OHS Department, featuring three keynote speakers who are experts in their respective fields.
The first session featured Jumardi, S.T., M.T., Director of Railway Safety at the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, who discussed the importance of the national railway safety system. He explained that the government provides full support to ensure safe transportation through regulations such as Law No. 23 of 2007 on Railways, which governs Indonesia’s railway system—including infrastructure, facilities, and human resources.
“To achieve sustainability, three key aspects must be pursued in public transportation systems: economic—ensuring that fares are balanced with service quality; social—ensuring accessibility and comfort; and safety—which is a fundamental right of every citizen and must be guaranteed by the state,” stated Jumardi. He added that safety is not merely a technical procedure but a shared responsibility among the government, operators, and the public.
The second session was delivered by Prof. Dr. dr. Zulkifli Djunaidi, M.App.Sc., Professor at the FPH UI Department of OHS, who provided an academic perspective.
“Safety should not be viewed as a cost burden but as a long-term investment,” he emphasized.
Prof. Zulkifli highlighted that prioritizing user safety and comfort in public transportation is crucial. Implementing a public transport safety management system is essential to protect passengers through protocols and technology that minimize risks while enhancing security.
“A well-implemented safety management system has proven highly effective in reducing incidents and improving overall public safety in transportation environments,” he noted. He further emphasized that government commitment plays a vital role in sustaining such systems.
The final session featured Panji Arum Bismantoko, Head of the Operation, Safety, Security, and Quality Division of PT MRT Jakarta, who presented his topic “Integrating Safety and Sustainability: MRT Jakarta’s Commitment to a Resilient and Green Urban Transport System.” He explained MRT Jakarta’s ongoing efforts to integrate modern technology to ensure safe operations while promoting environmentally friendly and green transportation. Supported by advanced signaling systems, enhanced station and train safety features, and strict risk mitigation, MRT Jakarta continues to ensure passenger safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
The collaboration between FPH UI and MRT Jakarta demonstrates that the future of transportation is not solely shaped by engineers in the field but also by academics, public health experts, and all stakeholders involved. This partnership aims to build a modern, safe, healthy, environmentally friendly, and sustainable public transportation system for future generations.
(ITM)