Shanghai subway network a good example<\/p>\n
As one of Jakarta's sister cities, Shanghai, China -- with a
\ntotal population of 13 million and an area of 6,341 square
\nkilometers -- has similar problems. In a recent comparative study
\norganized by the City Council, The Jakarta Post's Damar Harsanto
\nwas invited to visit Shanghai to learn how that city's officials
\ndeal with the problems. This is the first of three articles.<\/p>\n
While Jakarta is still focusing on the development of another
\nbusway line and later a monorail line to deal with its chronic
\ntraffic, its sister city Shanghai has been able to manage its
\npotential transportation problems.<\/p>\n
Shanghai began operating its subway network -- as part of its
\nmass rapid transit (MRT) system -- in 1995 to cater its
\npopulation of 13 million.<\/p>\n
Today, Shanghai has 36 subway lines connecting 48 stations
\ncitywide covering a distance of 65 kilometers. Another new line
\nis under construction and is slated to be operational by the end
\nof this year.<\/p>\n
According to published reports, the Shanghai administration
\nhas promised to further expand the subway by 11 lines covering
\n400 kilometers by 2010.<\/p>\n
To encourage its residents to use the subway, the Shanghai
\nadministration has also widened sidewalks for pedestrians and
\nbanned motorcycles and bicycles from major thoroughfares in
\ndowntown areas.<\/p>\n
Those efforts have apparently been welcomed by the people as
\nmany now use the bustling subway system. They have an efficient
\nvending machine ticketing system and most passengers spend less
\nthan five minutes in line, then catch the next of many passing
\ntrains and within a few more minutes are at their destination.<\/p>\n
Compared to the subway system in relatively smaller cities
\nlike Singapore and Taipei, the one in Shanghai is very crowded,
\nespecially during peak hours. Nevertheless, it is less crowded
\nthan Jakarta's electric commuter trains and, of course, no
\npassengers climbed atop the cars for a free ride.<\/p>\n
The public's positive response to the subway was also due to
\nits integrated system, which links other modes of transportation
\nsuch as buses and taxis.<\/p>\n
An expatriate working for a foreign company in Shanghai,
\nFlorence Lee, was very pleased with the convenient prepaid
\nticketing system, in which monthly passes can be used for the
\nsubway, buses and even taxis.<\/p>\n
Lee said she only needed to swipe the debit card over the
\nmagnetic reading device to open the turnstiles in the subway
\nstation. The value on the card is automatically updated, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"In that sense, Shanghai's transportation system is the most
\nwell-developed compared to other cities that I have visited, like
\nKuala Lumpur and Singapore. In those two cities, passengers are
\nrequired to have different tickets for different public
\ntransportation means,\" she told the Post.<\/p>\n
In addition to the subway, Shanghai also has river
\ntransportation. Several boat taxis operate along the Huangpu
\nRiver which divides the city into two: Pudong in the east and
\nPuxi in the west.<\/p>\n
However, the river transportation was initially established to
\ncater to tourists, and not necessarily to tackle the bigger
\ntransportation problems. Boat taxi tickets can be from between
\nUS$12 and $15 per person.<\/p>\n
Shanghai also has a high-tech Magnetic Levitation Vehicle
\n(Maglev) speed train.<\/p>\n
The train, which can top out at 430 kilometers per hour -- is
\nstill quite costly for an average commuter, and at present only
\ntravels runs along a 31-kilometer track between Shanghai's Long
\nYang station and Pudong International Airport.<\/p>\n
The Maglev train has not, however, received a warm welcome
\nfrom the residents because the cutting-edge technology means each
\nticket is priced at 40 Chinese yuan (US$4.8). A price that many
\nShanghai residents consider too high.<\/p>\n
Local media reported that the construction of the Maglev train
\nwas fueled by a political rivalry between China and Taiwan,
\nrather than concern for transportation issues. The media also has
\ncriticized the new train, because the schedule does not coincide
\nvery well with airline schedules at the airport.<\/p>\n
Despite its weaknesses, Jakarta can learn some things from
\nShanghai. Its administration has a strong will and consistent
\npolicies, which put public interest first and they see that as
\nthe key to tackling transportation woes.<\/p>\n
I-Box
\nBetween Shanghai and Jakarta in transportation<\/p>\n
Shanghai
\nPopulation: 13 million
\nArea : 6,341 square kilometers
\nRiver : Huangpu River
\nMeans of transportation:<\/p>\n
Maglev trains, subways, buses, taxis, cars, boats,<\/p>\n
motorcycles, bicycles
\nNumber of Vehicles:<\/p>\n
600,000 cars, 789,000 motorcycles, 40,000 taxis,<\/p>\n
3,000 buses, nine million bicycles<\/p>\n
Jakarta
\nPopulation : 8.6 million (Greater Jakarta: 18.6 million)
\nArea : 661 square kilometers
\nRiver : 13 rivers
\nMeans of Transportation:<\/p>\n
Train, buses, taxis, cars, motorcycles, bicycles,<\/p>\n
bajaj (three-wheeled motorized taxi)
\nNumber of Vehicles:<\/p>\n
1.3 million passenger cars, 403,100 cargo vehicles,<\/p>\n
2,000 buses, 2.6 million motorcycles, 23,000 taxis<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shanghai-subway-network-a-good-example-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }