Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) and the Human Resources Development Agency for Transportation (BPSDMP), Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Transportation Museum located within the TMII complex in Jakarta.

The MoU was signed by Intan Ayu Kartika, President Director of TMII, and Subagiyo, Head of BPSDMP, witnessed by the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi; Director of Human Resources & Digital InJourney, Herdy Harman; President Director of PT TWC, Febrina Intan; Avi Mukti Amin, Director of STTD; and other representatives during the RunHub event—part of the National Transportation Day Celebration—held at TMII on Sunday, 22 September 2024.

“In conjunction with the 2024 National Transportation Day series, the Transportation HR Development Agency and TMII have agreed to develop the Transportation Museum. The goal is to transform the museum into not only the Center for Indonesian Transportation History, but also into an educational tourism destination for the public,” said Subagiyo, Head of BPSDMP.

He also noted that this MoU reflects efforts to optimize the use of assets owned by the Ministry of Transportation, which are currently managed under a mandate given to the Indonesian Land Transport Polytechnic (PTDI-STTD) by the Minister of Transportation.

“This MoU is also part of our asset optimization strategy. In 2022, the Ministry of Transportation through PTDI-STTD was officially mandated to manage the assets of the Transportation Museum,” he added.

Standing gracefully on a 6.25-hectare site, the Transportation Museum—owned by the Ministry of Transportation—is a showcase of Indonesia’s rich transportation heritage and evolution, designed as a space for both recreation and education. The museum’s first groundbreaking was led by First Lady Tien Soeharto on 14 February 1984, followed by construction in 1985 and its inauguration by President Soeharto on 20 April 1991. Among its remarkable collections are the historic Cikar DAMRI, the first DAMRI fleet used for military logistics in Surabaya and Mojokerto in 1946; the Kereta Api Luar Biasa (KLB) used by President Soekarno and Vice President Moh. Hatta when the Indonesian government moved to Yogyakarta; a DC-9 aircraft (PK-GNT) from Garuda Indonesia; a traditional Banjar canoe from the interior of Kalimantan; and a lighthouse dating back to 1879.

“After 33 years, we believe it’s time for redevelopment to enhance both quality and visitor satisfaction. This effort is also aligned with the evolving role of museums as centers of education and information,” said Intan Ayu Kartika, President Director of TMII.

TMII and the Ministry of Transportation have thus agreed to revitalize the Transportation Museum. The redevelopment aims to broaden the scope and substance of its exhibits and provide a more engaging and accessible experience for all age groups.

Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, stated, “This collaboration marks a major step in our ongoing efforts to enrich the experience of TMII visitors. The development of the Transportation Museum will incorporate modern presentations, interactive digital features, updated graphic and visual displays, renewed collections and exhibits, and improved lighting—drawing inspiration from the world’s leading museums. We hope this transformation will make the museum more relevant and appealing, especially to the younger generation.”

On the same occasion, Dony Oskaria, President Director of InJourney (the state-owned aviation and tourism holding company), expressed full support for this collaborative effort to redevelop and reinvigorate the Transportation Museum at TMII. He highlighted that TMII’s management approach has completely transformed with a new concept built around four key pillars: green, smart, culture, and inclusive.

“With TMII’s new look, we aim to establish it as a cultural tourism icon that also serves as an educational hub for Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity. The revitalized Transportation Museum will be a welcomed addition to the many attractions our visitors have longed to see return,” said Dony.

He also added that since TMII was re-inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia in September 2023, it has seen a tremendous increase in visitor numbers. In 2023, following the revitalization, TMII experienced a 4.4x growth in visits (an increase of 350%) compared to the previous year. This growth continues in 2024, with weekend visits averaging 20,000–25,000 people.

“Looking ahead, we hope the Transportation Museum will host various engaging and up-to-date activation programs and activities, particularly for younger audiences. The restoration of assets will also refresh their appearance and condition, helping attract even more visitors to TMII,” Dony concluded.

The museum’s development will be carried out in phases without disrupting regular operations, though some adjustments will be made during construction.

The revitalization process is set to begin in October 2024. The first phase of development is targeted for completion by the end of 2024, focusing on maximizing activation programs and museum activities.

For more information, visit the official TMII website at www.tamanmini.com or follow TMII on social media at @tmiiofficial.