Public transportation users in Jakarta can now enjoy free drinking water, including the option of sparkling water, at several Transjakarta bus stops.
This new initiative is a result of a collaboration between PT Transportasi Jakarta (TransJakarta) and Perumda Air Minum (PAM) JAYA, which is designed to offer drinking water refills to commuters.
Passengers can bring their own water bottles (tumblers) from home and fill them at the dispensers located at select bus stops.
The service is available at no cost, although commuters can choose to contribute a voluntary payment via a QR code displayed on the machine. This setup offers customers an innovative and convenient way to stay hydrated while using public transportation.
The water dispensers are not your typical machines. Users can choose from a variety of water temperatures, including room temperature water, hot, very hot, cold, and even sparkling water.
This feature has generated buzz online, particularly with a viral TikTok video by user @qarinashifa, showing how people are enjoying the water refill stations.
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The video sparked many comments, with one user saying, “How cool is the sparkling water,” while another expressed concern about the potential for misuse, commenting, “Very cool, hopefully our people are ready to accept this and not be played, damaged, or even stolen.”
There were also reassuring comments from users who vouched for the safety of the water. One netizen wrote, “Fyi, for pam jaya’s water, it has been tested because once a month they always conduct lab tests. In the agency I work for, I have also used it. Pam Jaya hehehe.”
The refill stations are located at the following Transjakarta bus stops:
- 1-2: CSW-ASEAN
- 1-4: Senayan Roundabout
- 1-5: Senayan Bank DKI
- 1-8: Karet
- 1-9: Dukuh Atas
- 1-10: Tosari
PAM JAYA’s President Director, Arief Nasrudin, explained that providing piped clean water access at Transjakarta bus stops is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to ensure 100% clean water service coverage for Jakarta residents by 2030. “This initiative supports the transformation of clean water service management by PAM JAYA in Jakarta,” he said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between BUMDs (State-Owned Enterprises) like PAM JAYA and Transjakarta to enhance the quality of public facilities.
Welfizon Yuza, President Director of PT Transjakarta, also highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “The availability of clean water at Transjakarta bus stops complements the improvement of public transportation services. Customers’ needs are increasing, not only in terms of mobility but also in terms of the facilities available at Transjakarta bus stops.” He noted that amenities such as toilets and prayer rooms have become essential to ensuring comfort for passengers.
The cooperation between PAM JAYA and Transjakarta is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which outlines the responsibilities of both parties in ensuring the procurement and maintenance of clean water piping systems at Transjakarta bus stop facilities.
This new water refill initiative is also part of a broader environmental effort to reduce plastic waste from bottled beverages. By offering free refills, the program encourages commuters to use reusable bottles, helping to minimize single-use plastic and contribute to environmental preservation.
cover: Photo by Nur Taufik Zamari on Unsplash