Train service in limbo<\/p>\n
What is the best mode of transportation for a teeming
\nmetropolitan city the size of Greater Jakarta, with its 10
\nmillion population? With traffic gridlock becoming the norm these
\ndays, more public buses are not the answer. More buses will only
\nclog the available roads, and add to the congestion.<\/p>\n
A commuter train service, whether underground or at the
\nsurface, could be the solution that Jakarta is searching for. Any
\nmass rapid transportation (MRT) system that the administration
\nplans to build at some stage would do well to expand on the
\ncity's existing, albeit limited, railway network.<\/p>\n
But for that to happen, first and foremost, we need to change
\nthe administration's attitude toward train services. Jakarta's
\nexisting commuter trains are in a state of permanent neglect and
\nare a victim of poor management. We have yet to fully exploit the
\npotential of commuter trains to provide an inexpensive,
\nefficient, fast and comfortable means of public transportation.<\/p>\n
Instead, we see a service that is notorious for its lack of
\npunctuality, cleanliness and even space. At times, it also lacks
\nthe most basic passenger safety. Riding the train in Jakarta for
\nmany commuters who have no other option can be a nightmare, or,
\nworse still, even fatal.<\/p>\n
People traveling during the morning or afternoon peak hours
\ncount their blessings if they can find anywhere to stand. Most
\nhave to cram themselves in, up to 12 people per square meter,
\naccording to one official estimate. Others have to cling to the
\ndoors or windows, or even sit on the roof, with all the hazards
\nthat entails.<\/p>\n
KAI, the state-railway company, which operates the commuter
\ntrains, has been indifferent to calls for better and safer
\nservices. Instead, we keep hearing endless excuses for its
\nfailure to offer the public a halfway decent service.<\/p>\n
PT KAI Greater Jakarta division puts the blame on poor
\nmaintenance, which, in turn, is caused by the inefficiency of
\nmaintenance crews. They are able to service only two cars every
\nfive months, instead of three or four as required.<\/p>\n
KAI President Umar Berto disclosed that one-third of its
\nalmost 400 cars had been taken off the tracks because they were
\ntoo old or lacked maintenance. KAI Greater Jakarta currently
\noperates only 252 cars, which carry 450,000 passengers per day.<\/p>\n
An inadequate budget is at the root of KAI's problems. The
\ncompany has been running a deficit to the tune of Rp 11 billion a
\nyear for the last two years.<\/p>\n
But blaming KAI alone for its deplorable services is not going
\nto solve the problem. The real solution must come from higher up
\n-- the government, and its own attitude and policies with regard
\nto train services.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration has shown a strong bias toward road
\ntransportation and accommodating the needs of private motorists,
\nwith not so much attention being paid to users of public
\ntransportation. Just take a look at the hundreds of kilometers of
\ninner city toll road that were built during the last two decades
\nand are still to be built.<\/p>\n
In contrast, how much new additional railway track has been
\nlaid down during these years?<\/p>\n
Admittedly the investment required to build and operate a
\ncommuter train service seems too prohibitive for the private
\nsector to handle without government subsidy. Constructing a
\nkilometer of railway track costs Rp 5 billion, while the cost of
\npurchasing and operating a train car can reach Rp 70 billion.<\/p>\n
But we know it can be done, because most other large cities
\naround the world have succeeded in building and operating their
\nown MRTs. They are efficient, inexpensive, and, in the main,
\nprofitable.<\/p>\n
It can be done if the political will exists. Sadly, the idea
\nthat a properly managed commuter train service could provide
\nmillions of commuters in Jakarta with a much better alternative
\nmeans of transportation than the existing one has yet to find
\nfavor with city administrators.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/train-service-in-limbo-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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