Capital needs transparent subway project: Experts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two experts have hailed the idea to build a
\nsubway system in the capital to help reduce the chronic traffic
\ncongestion, but asked the authorities to be transparent on the
\npossible hindrances and budget expenditures.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately on Saturday, urban designer Suryono
\nHerlambang of Tarumanegara University (Untar) and transportation
\nengineer Alan Marino of the University of Indonesia (UI) said the
\ntransparency of the project is very important for the public, who
\nwould be the main users of the subway.<\/p>\n
According to Suryono, the people of Jakarta still lack
\ninformation about the subway project, particularly the safety of
\nthe proposed Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.<\/p>\n
\"City residents need to know more on the project, such as the
\nfeasibility to construct such a massive underground tunnel in the
\ncapital,\" he said.<\/p>\n
It has been reported that several locations in Jakarta
\nexperienced significant subsidence of more than 80 centimeters
\nfor the past several years.<\/p>\n
\"Will the tunnel be watertight or not. We don't expect the
\ntunnel to be inundated like the Soedyatmo toll road,\" Suryono
\nsaid, referring to a the main road connecting the city and the
\nSoekarno-Hatta International Airport west of Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Part of the toll road was heavily flooded late last year,
\ncausing several international and domestic flights to cancel
\ntheir flights as many of their passengers and crew were stranded
\non the road.<\/p>\n
Sharing Suryono's idea, Alan suggested the related parties
\ninvolved in the project allow city councillors to help supervise
\nthe subway project.<\/p>\n
\"The project involves a great amount of money. We can't
\ntolerate another corruption case,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As reported earlier, the fate of the proposed multi-billion
\ndollar subway project is scheduled to be announced at the end of
\nthis year. It is awaiting the results of the environmental
\nanalysis (Amdal).<\/p>\n
The Japanese government, through its Miyazawa Plan and Special
\nYen Loan program, has committed to financing the project.
\nAccording to an initial proposal, the project would connect the
\nFatamwati area in South Jakarta and the Kota Railway Station in
\nWest Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to the two experts, such an MRT system is badly
\nneeded. \"The condition of the public transportation here is
\ndifferent with the situation of some 20 years ago due to the
\ngrowing population,\" Alan said.<\/p>\n
The city actually needs any form of MRT in a bid to serve the
\nestimated 12 million residents. \"Either subway, elevated or
\ncombined, it doesn't matter. What we really need is a clear
\npolitical will,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The existing Jabotabek railway system is also a form of MRT.
\nWe can still improve this system to carry more passengers,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Alan also suggested the Jakarta Administration further improve
\nthe parking fee management system so part of the revenue can help
\nfinance the city's MRT system.<\/p>\n
\"We have to construct the MRT right now, or we will have to
\ncarry a greater burden in the future,\" he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Suryono, on the other hand, asked the city authorities to also
\nimprove the public bus system which needs less funds compared to
\nthe planned subway project.<\/p>\n
\"Even though we have a subway, we still need a good bus system
\nto carry people. The absence of an adequate bus system creates
\ntraffic problems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Transportation system is just like blood system in our body.
\nWe have always to channel the flow, otherwise a blockage will
\noccur,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He said the presence of subway terminals along the city's
\nmajor streets would bring advantages to business and commercial
\nventures.<\/p>\n
\"Imagine if one of the stations is located near Sogo or
\nSarinah department stores. They are exposed to a great number of
\npotential buyers. This will be the case at other stations as
\nwell,\" Suryono said. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/capital-needs-transparent-subway-project-experts-1447893297",
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