Southeast Sulawesi Governor Mandates Weekly Vehicle-Free Workdays

RRI.CO.ID, Kendari - In a bold move toward environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, Southeast Sulawesi Governor, Andi Sumangerukka, has officially transformed the provincial capital’s administration complex into a vehicle-free zone every Thursday.

The policy, which commenced on April 9, 2026, requires thousands of civil servants to ditch their private vehicles in favor of specialized shuttle buses, bicycles, and public transportation to significantly reduce fuel consumption.

The shift was immediately visible during its inaugural implementation, as the usually crowded parking lots of the Governor’s Office sat empty. Demonstrating leadership by example, Governor Andi swapped his official motorcade for a bicycle, cycling from his residence to the office alongside several heads of regional administration departments.

As reported by Antara, this collective action aims to foster a "moral movement" within the administration to prioritize energy conservation. “Today, we begin a moral activity to save fuel. Hopefully, this policy will run smoothly, and every Thursday, the governor’s office area will be free from motor vehicles,” Governor Andi said in Kendari, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

To ensure a seamless transition for employees, the Southeast Sulawesi Transportation Agency has deployed a fleet of shuttle buses operating across two strategic routes. The first route serves the Dapu-Dapura Terminal through the city center, utilizing assets from DAMRI and the General Bureau.

The second route covers the former MTQ Kendari area, supported by vehicles from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Social Affairs Agency. All units are scheduled to depart simultaneously at 6:30 a.m. local time to ensure punctual arrivals.

Beyond the logistical shift, Governor Andi emphasized that this initiative serves a broader purpose. “This step is expected to reduce energy consumption within the administration environment while serving as a model for the community in environmental preservation and energy efficiency efforts in Southeast Sulawesi,” he explained.

The Provincial Administration has pledged to maintain this program consistently. Moving forward, the administration will conduct regular evaluations of the shuttle services to ensure that employee mobility remains effective and that the transition away from private vehicle dependency does not hinder public service operations. ***