Observers urge better busway setup<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani and Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Transportation observers have deemed the service of the
\nsix-month-old busway has improved, but urged the administration
\nto provide the expected supporting infrastructure to maintain
\ngood services.<\/p>\n
"The busway service should implement a feeder system and
\ncomfortable pedestrian facilities," said Andi Rahmah of the
\nPelangi Foundation in an evaluation of the busway since its
\nlaunch on Jan. 15.<\/p>\n
Rahmah said inadequate pedestrian facilities to and from
\nbusway stops had discouraged some potential passengers.<\/p>\n
"Train passengers who alight at the elevated Sudirman station
\nin Central Jakarta opt for other public transportation, like
\nminibuses, rather than the busway because no proper sidewalk
\nconnects the railway station to the Tosari or Dukuh Atas busway
\nstops," she told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
However, Rahmah lauded busway operator Transjakarta for its
\ncontinued efforts in improving services.<\/p>\n
"I have observed that Transjakarta responds quickly to
\ncomplaints received via its hotline," she said.<\/p>\n
Six months into its operation, the Transjakarta busway has
\nrecorded an average 46,000 passengers a day, exceeding its
\nestimated target of 20,000 passengers.<\/p>\n
The latest data from the city transportation agency shows that
\n60,000 people commute between Blok M, South Jakarta, and Kota,
\nWest Jakarta, along the busway's first line.<\/p>\n
"Calculations show that Transjakarta has reaped Rp 3.49
\nbillion (US$392,134) in net profit in 160 days. This has proven
\nthat public transportation can be a profitable business that does
\nnot necessarily require a government subsidy," Rahmah said.<\/p>\n
Ernst & Young (E&Y), which consulted the administration on the
\nbusway, earlier reported that Transjakarta could fully cover its
\ndaily operation cost of Rp 6,500 per kilometer if it could
\nattract an average of 37,565 passengers per day.<\/p>\n
Another observer's report showed the number of passengers had
\ngrown by 27 percent from 1.15 million people in February -- its
\nfirst month of operation -- to 1.47 million passengers in June.<\/p>\n
Pelangi executive director Kuki Soejachmoen added the busway
\nhad the potential to be a gold mine for the capital.<\/p>\n
For the busway to help reduce air pollution, Rahmah said buses
\nalong the planned east-west lines connecting Pulogadung-Monas-
\nKalideres should utilize environmentally friendly fuel, such as
\ncompressed natural gas.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, head of TransJakarta operations Sr. Comr. Rene
\nNunumete said on Thursday the management would resume the
\ndeployment of public order officers in response to reports of
\npickpockets, who are targeting passengers on buses when guards
\nare not aboard.<\/p>\n
"We will deploy officers posing as passengers on each bus," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The busway runs daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
Rene advised passengers to alert the driver immediately if
\nthey felt they had lost something on a bus.<\/p>\n
"The driver would seal the bus and contact security officers
\nat the nearest busway stop to conduct a search... Don't wait
\nuntil you have arrived at your destination stop to make a
\ncomplaint," he added.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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