The Effectiveness of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Implementation as a Public Transportation Policy in Cirebon City

Abstract

Urban traffic congestion is a public policy challenge that reflects the effectiveness of government interventions in managing urban mobility. The Cirebon City Government has implemented Bus Trans Cirebon as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) policy intended to provide an alternative to private vehicle use and support efforts to reduce traffic congestion. This study examines the effectiveness of Bus Trans Cirebon by assessing the alignment between policy implementation and the mobility needs of local communities. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 informants, consisting of 3 transportation officials, 6 regular users, and 5 non-users, complemented by field observations and policy document analysis. The analysis focuses on service reliability, route and spatial alignment, and service consistency in shaping public trust and travel choices. The findings indicate that the effectiveness of Bus Trans Cirebon remains constrained by uncertain schedules, limited route connectivity, inadequate service frequency, and insufficient integration with actual mobility patterns. Although the service is generally perceived as relatively comfortable and safe, these limitations reduce its competitiveness compared with private vehicles and constrain its capacity to induce modal shift. The study further identifies a gap between government expectations and users’ everyday mobility experiences. The study concludes that the effectiveness of BRT depends not merely on the formal provision of services but on whether the service can become a reliable, accessible, and competitive alternative to private mobility. These implementation conditions help explain why modal shift remains limited despite the availability of Bus Trans Cirebon.