Bus Way: 1st Test for Mr. Foke

The construction of Bus Way has encountered a serious problem lately, since it's first launch about two years ago. At the beginning, although many people were sceptical, slowly but surely many people in turn could accept the policy to bring the Bus Way in reality. However, the construction of some new corridors has significantly resulted in a serious traffic congestion, such as the corridor of Kp. Rambutan - Koja and the corridor of Lb. Bulus - Harmoni. This has invited various comments and concerns from a variety levels of the community. Even, Mr. President has also specially invited the newly elected Jakarta Governor Mr. Foke (a nick name for Mr. Fauzi Bowo) to discuss about the impact of the Bus Way construction and how to deal with it.

To what can be red from many newspapers, seemingly there is a calming down of the policy on the continuation of Bus Way construction. At least, it is indicated by the news that corridor XI through corridor XV which is previously planned to be consctructed in 2008 will be postponed till 2009, and targeted to be finished in 2010. Besides, the new policy that personal cars for some routes are permitted to use the Bus Way lines has also indicated that the policy has been, to some extent, shaking.

It is true that during the construction period, traffic congestion is unavoidable in almost all parts of Jakarta. However, it should be in kept in mind that the policy is just about 30% of the whole plan to be implemented. So, if judgement then is made in that situation, it will not make a sense. We need to give an opportunity to the government to implement the whole plan of the Bus Way policy. In this regard, I am not part of the policy maker, and I have no intension to campaign or what so ever to defend the policy.

Considering that the ratio between the number of cars in Jakarta and the available space and roads is not in a good balance, a breakthrough in mass-rapid transportation policy is a must. Among of which, Bus Way is the most realistic from several points of views (financial, security, etc.). In my personal views, there are at least two targets that the Bus Way policy would like to achieve: (i) improvement in public service especially in the city mass-rapid transportation; and (ii) changing the people views and behaviours on the use personal cars in daily activities. In the sense of the second target above, traffic congestion might be a good lesson and means to change the people views and behaviors on the use of personal cars. It will best if traffic congestion happens this days temporally rather than the traffic stuck in five or ten years later. This is the 1st test for Mr. Foke's administration. Go Bus Way.... We'll wait for your roles....! (Jakarta, 20/11/2007)

Dealing with Jakarta Traffic-Jam Problems

Right at the moment, Jakarta is facing a delicate problem which is commonly also faced by most of big cities in the world. Traffic is one of the most significant and serious problem here in Jakarta. The constant growht of car and motor ownership is one of the potential contribution to the problem, while at the same time the road and space available to the vehicles tend to be stagnant with no significant widening.

Dealing with the above-stated situation, the local government of Jakarta has taken into account some solutions, some of which have been implemented, and some others are still in the effort to be in place. Among others are the development of mass rapid transit called "Bus Way" (already implemented), elevated way "Monorail" (still in the initial construction), and the plan to build subway system. Besides, the government has also implemented some supporting regulations in the effort to reduce the number of vehicles running on the roads, such as Three-In-One Policy, and still in discussion to increase the cost of parking fee (tax?).

Among those solutions, in my opinion, there is one which currently may not yet be consedered as a potential best solution to the problem, i.e. the development of "Motor Way". The reason I raise this alternative is two: (i) motor is emphirically proven as a fast means of transportation with efficient need of space, just imagine with 0,5m x 1,5m space-need motor can move one or two persons, and compare it with car which needs at least 1,5m x 3-4m space for only and commonly also one or two persons. In this sense, motor gives much more efficency in the need of road space; (ii) motor is also known as one of the efficent vehicle in terms of fuel consumption. With this in mind, in my belief, motor will give much more savings in the fuel consumption.

If some people may think that motorcycles are the most contributors to the traffic chaos/problem, we may argue that it may be because that so far the motorcycles have not been given with special treatment. So, in my opinion, and hopefully to be such a course of thinking to the policy-makers, "Motor Way" needs to be well considered as one of the alternative solution to the traffic problem in Jakarta.

Jakarta, 12/11/2007