UNAIR NEWS – A group of students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has undertaken a research project centered on sustainable transportation in Surabaya. Supported by the university’s SDGs Center and supervised by Nadia Anridho, S.Ak., MBA, Ph.D., a faculty member at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), the interdisciplinary team examined how the Suroboyo Bus system contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): specifically Goals 8, 10, 11, 13, and 17.
The team was led by Dhika Riski Wahyuda (Accounting), and included Aurelya Indah Hapsari (Accounting), Faiz Ibnu Tsani (Accounting), Dina Fadiah (Sociology), and Nadhifa Fahira Angelita (International Relations).
Key findings
Drawing from data provided by East Java’s Department of Communications and Information (Kominfo Jatim), the team noted that in 2023, Suroboyo Bus recorded 1,729,758 passengers—an increase of 3.37 times compared to 2018. Despite this growth, the team identified several critical challenges, especially in the areas of workforce training, bus stop accessibility, and operational safety.
They reported that many bus stops still lack sufficient route information and basic infrastructure such as roofing and seating. “In addition, several fire extinguishers found on buses along key routes were discovered to be inoperable,” said Tsani, one of the team members.
Policy brief handbook introduced
In response to their findings, the team compiled a policy brief handbook that outlines actionable recommendations. The document advocates for stronger collaboration between stakeholders and third-party organizations to enhance workforce training, upgrade the condition of bus stops to ensure passenger safety and comfort, and improve the availability of functional safety equipment.
“This handbook is based on firsthand interviews that reflect multiple viewpoints. We believe that comprehensive staff training, coupled with improved infrastructure and safety facilities, will significantly elevate service quality and passenger satisfaction. In the long term, this will help build loyalty among users and position Suroboyo Bus as a leading example of sustainable public transit,” said Wahyuda, the team leader.
Through the policy brief, the team aims to contribute to progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The proposed recommendations are intended to inform and support policymakers in their efforts to develop inclusive, safe, and sustainable public transportation systems.
Author: Dina Fadiah
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
