Best Public Transport Cities Worldwide 2025, Jakarta's Rank?

In major cities around the world, public transportation is more than just a tool for moving from point A to point B. It is the lifeblood of the city, a meeting place for cultures, even an authentic experience sought by tourists. 

From Tokyo's subway, Hong Kong's iconic trams, to London's colorful buses, public transport reflects a city's character and civilization.

Time Out, a global lifestyle media, has released its list of cities with the world's best public transport networks for 2025. 

To compile this list, they asked over 18,500 residents in more than 50 countries to rate their own city's transport system. 

The transportation modes assessed included buses, trains, trams, bike lanes, and other modes.

The result: cities with the highest satisfaction percentages made the list. Topping the list is Hong Kong, with 98% of residents satisfied with their public transport,

which includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) with 10 lines, iconic double-decker trams, and air-conditioned buses reaching the mainland China border. 

The city is not only efficient but also enchanting with its landscape of skyscrapers and green mountains.

Shanghai follows in second place with 94% of residents rating the system efficient. 

No wonder, the city boasts 20 metro lines spanning 800 km, over 2,000 bus routes, taxis, ferries, and the Maglev. 

Additionally, it has the world's fastest train, covering the 30 km from Pudong Airport in just eight minutes.

Beijing is in third place with 91% satisfaction. Beijing's transport is supported by 1,200 bus routes, 27 metro lines, thousands of taxis, and bike lanes, helping the city reclaim its nickname as the Bicycle Kingdom.

The list continues with Abu Dhabi, Taipei, London, Vienna, Seoul, Mumbai, and Doha. 

Each of these cities has long integrated transportation as the backbone of modern urban life.

So, what about Jakarta?

Many might be surprised that Jakarta ranks 17th on Time Out's list of cities with the best public transport in the world for 2025.

While not yet perfect, there's one thing that makes Jakarta unique compared to other cities on this list.

Buses are the busiest public transportation mode in Jakarta, with a resident satisfaction rate of 79 percent.

TransJakarta, known locally as the busway, is the backbone of the city's mobility. 

Operating on dedicated lanes, TransJakarta avoids traffic jams and is the most affordable option for residents to cross the city. 

This system is not just a transport tool, but a symbol of Jakarta's transformation towards a more inclusive city.

On the ground, TransJakarta doesn't stand alone. There's Mikrotrans, a feeder service connecting busway stations. 

This system blends traditional minibus transport modes with modern facilities, creating a new, more humane face for urban transport.

Besides buses, Jakarta also has several rail-based transport modes: MRT, LRT, and the KRL Commuter Line.