Roadshow Southeast Asia - Rethinking Bus Transportation
Digitalization, e-buses and smart solutions: How Southeast Asia is reinventing public transport.
What do bus-only lanes in Manila, electric vehicle (EV) leasing in Jakarta, and AI-assisted microtransit in Kuala Lumpur have in common? The Southeast Asian stop of the BUS2BUS Digital Roadshow 2025 showcased how urban bus transportation in the region is evolving – often out of necessity, sometimes out of ingenuity, and always urgently.
Leading voices from the region came together to discuss the future of public transport. Panelists included Yoga Adiwinarto (Kalista), who shared insights into data-driven fleet management and his company’s innovative fleet-as-a-service model; Dr. Prodyut Dutt (Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd/Prasarana Group), who presented Malaysia’s experience with on-demand microtransit and digital integration; and Arieni Lestari Putri (Transjakarta/Transportasi Jakarta), who contributed her perspective on multimodal planning, accessibility, and infrastructure modernization. Steven Scicluna (Railpreneur) offered a strategic, international viewpoint on sustainable operations, asset management, and system interoperability. The discussion was expertly moderated by Anna Rellama (Arthur D. Little Philippines).
From Jakarta’s 1,000-strong electric bus fleet to Malaysia’s app-based, on-demand feeder vans, the session revealed a dynamic ecosystem of operators, consultants, and public stakeholders working together – or sometimes independently – to make sustainable mobility a reality. Smart technologies such as IoT tracking, mobile-based route optimization, and account-based ticketing systems were highlighted as tools not only for greater efficiency but also as enablers of a more inclusive and connected future.
A recurring theme throughout the session was ensuring that digitalization doesn't leave anyone behind. The speakers emphasized the importance of human-centered design and policy alignment to ensure that technology serves the public. Accessibility for women, the elderly, and people with disabilities is becoming a key performance metric in cities like Jakarta, where station upgrades and safer vehicle interiors are changing long-held public perceptions. Rather than copying Western models, Southeast Asian cities are developing their own solutions – pragmatic, scalable, and deeply rooted in local contexts.
Another point of consensus was the need for more robust infrastructure to support the transition to electric vehicles. Charging stations, grid resilience, and battery innovation were identified as critical factors for the long-term viability of fleets. Companies like Kalista are building charging networks in partnership with local utilities and helping governments rethink procurement through fleet-as-a-service models. Meanwhile, the panel explored how future technologies such as AI, modular batteries, and autonomous driving could shape bus services in the future. However, they cautioned that these visions must not outpace foundational needs such as policy reform, interoperability, and consistent funding.
This stop of the BUS2BUS Digital Roadshow not only highlighted the pace of change in Southeast Asia but also the unique creativity that drives it. In a region where congestion, climate change, and urban inequality intersect, buses represent more than just a mode of transportation; they symbolize the future we wish to build.
You can watch the full BUS2BUS Digital Roadshow Southeast Asia here.