Indonesia’s first EMV contactless public transport payment system
MRT Jakarta has introduced EMV contactless credit card payments, becoming the first public transport service in Indonesia to adopt the technology. The new system allows passengers to pay fares by tapping eligible Visa and Mastercard contactless credit cards at station gates, eliminating the need to purchase a dedicated transport card or top up stored-value balances.
EMV, which stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa, is the global security standard for chip-based payment cards. The contactless technology enables fast and secure transactions by allowing users to tap their cards on a payment reader without inserting the card or entering a PIN for eligible purchases.
Speaking at the launch at Bundaran HI MRT Station on 29 July, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the initiative marks an important milestone in modernising the capital’s public transport system. He said the new payment method would help position Jakarta alongside cities such as Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Sydney, where contactless bank card payments are already widely used across public transport networks.
Governor Pramono said the contactless payment system would also improve convenience for domestic and international visitors. Previously, MRT Jakarta passengers were required to use a dedicated transport card to access the network. Travellers carrying eligible Visa or Mastercard contactless credit cards can now use the system immediately without purchasing an additional card.
The initiative forms part of the Jakarta Provincial Government’s broader ambition to strengthen the Indonesian capital’s position as a global city while encouraging greater use of public transport. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Jakarta welcomed around 2.5 million visitors in 2024. Governor Pramono said the new payment system would make it easier for tourists to use the city’s public transport network.
Looking ahead, Governor Pramono said he hopes the EMV contactless payment system will eventually be expanded to LRT Jakarta, TransJakarta and TransJabodetabek. He said broader adoption would create a more seamless travel experience, encourage greater public transport use and further support Jakarta’s ambition to become a world-class global city.
Source: ANTARA News
