Busway popularity rises, traffic remains same<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Since its launch on Jan. 15, city residents have warmed to the
\nbusway as shown by the increasing number of passengers over the
\nlast three months.<\/p>\n
According to data from the TransJakarta busway management, the
\nnumber of passengers in the first week of February, after the
\ntwo-week trial period, reached 259,600. From early February to
\nmid-March 2,535,068 passengers boarded the busway, while that
\nfigure jumped to 313,246 in the last week of March.<\/p>\n
During the last week of March, the outdoor campaign period for
\nthe general election campaign was in full swing.<\/p>\n
On March 30, the number of passengers reached 62,323 a day. On
\nthat day two political parties, the Prosperous Justice Party
\n(PKS) and the Reform Star Party (PBR), held outdoor campaigns.<\/p>\n
Previously, Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) chairman
\nSuyono Dikun warned that the busway project was unlikely to
\nsucceed as only a small percentage of car owners traversing
\nbetween Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta would be
\nwilling to use public transportation.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post observed that the number of busway passengers
\npeaked around 8 a.m., lunch time (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.) and also in
\nthe afternoon around 4 p.m.<\/p>\n
Many passengers have opted for the busway due to the extended
\nthree-in-one policy along the busway corridor from 7 a.m. to 10
\na.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Janni, who works for a private bank on Jl. Sudirman said that
\nshe often took the busway during her lunch hour.<\/p>\n
\"It is easier to ride the busway if I want to have lunch at a
\nplace located on Jl. Sudirman or Jl. M.H. Thamrin than to drive a
\ncar,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Hetih, a busway commuter, said that she enjoyed taking the
\nbusway because it was faster and safer than regular buses.<\/p>\n
\"I've seen many passengers using their cell phones, that would
\nnever happen on public minibuses or other regular buses,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Another passenger, Titis, said she always took the busway from
\nher house in Ciputat to her workplace in the Olimo area.<\/p>\n
\"It's a lot faster to take the busway because it is not
\nsubject to traffic jams. Therefore, I can save up to 30 minutes
\nand get home earlier than usual,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She also said that it was a lot more comfortable than regular
\nbuses or air-conditioned Patas buses, as street musicians were
\nprohibited from boarding.<\/p>\n
However, she was not sure about the city administration's plan
\nto build other busway corridors, such as along Kalideres-
\nPulogadung, Blok M-Lebak Bulus, Kota-Ragunan and Kota-Kampung
\nRambutan.<\/p>\n
\"I think building more corridors would cause more traffic jams
\nin the city, because the busway needs a special lane and the
\nplanned routes are not as wide as the main thoroughfares, such as
\nJl. Sudirman or Jl. M.H. Thamrin,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The current busway corridor has already caused the Jakarta
\nPublic Works Agency to start widening sections of these roads.<\/p>\n
Another busway passenger criticized the busway service which
\nshe said had not improved over the last three months.<\/p>\n
\"The ride itself is comfortable, but busway officers should be
\nmore helpful by telling passengers which shelter is closest to
\ntheir destination,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Many urban activists and transportation observers, however,
\nwarned the busway management not to take the popularity of busway
\nfor granted and to keep trying to improve the service, especially
\nin accommodating disabled people.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/busway-popularity-rises-traffic-remains-same-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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