Transportation body proposed<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The establishment of the Greater Jakarta megapolitan
\ntransportation authority will be the starting point to integrate
\nthe transportation systems of all autonomous regions of Jakarta,
\nBogor, Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang, a study says.<\/p>\n
The authority will have the power to control the planning and
\nimplementation of the integrated transportation system, which is
\nthe key to the joint effort of the regions in resolving the
\nmultitude of transportation problems in the capital and its
\nsurrounding areas.<\/p>\n
\"The authority will facilitate the existing difficulties in
\ncoordination among the various administrations,\" said Japanese
\nInternational Cooperation Agency (JICA) team leader Tomokazu
\nWachi on Thursday at a seminar on transportation.<\/p>\n
The one-day seminar was held to present a result of a study on
\nthe integrated transportation Master Plan for Greater Jakarta
\nbeing conducted by JICA and the National Development Planning
\nBoard (Bappenas).<\/p>\n
The massive traffic jams during peak hours have been
\nworsening, and JICA says the economic loss caused by the
\ncongestion now amounts to Rp 5.5 trillion (US$647 million)
\nannually.<\/p>\n
JICA also estimates that the cumulative economic losses up to
\n2020 is estimated to reach Rp 70.3 trillion, if no significant
\nefforts are made to resolve the chronic transportation problems.<\/p>\n
Wachi said the scope of the transportation authority's
\nresponsibilities included infrastructure development of mass
\nrapid transport, bus project development, traffic control and
\ninter-city\/regency road development and maintenance.<\/p>\n
He pointed to the Metro Manila Development Authority in the
\nPhilippines and the Metro Oregon in the United States as
\nauthority models that could be applied to Greater Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The study is identifying possible policies to be taken by the
\nauthority to develop a sustainable transportation system in
\nGreater Jakarta, which will focus on encouraging residents to use
\npublic transportation.<\/p>\n
The disparity between the number of private cars and public
\nvehicles also has a great impact on the traffic problems in
\nGreater Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The proposal to set up the Jakarta megapolitan transportation
\nauthority has received the support of Soni Sumarsono, director of
\nregional development integration at the home ministry, who said
\nthat without such an institution it was unlikely that Greater
\nJakarta could be integrated successfully.<\/p>\n
Soni said the transportation authority had three conditions:
\nfirst, it should be given full authority to establish the system
\nand to act as a regulatory body.<\/p>\n
Second, it must receive a mandate from all administrations of
\nthe affected regions and their legislative councils.<\/p>\n
Third, all administrations must fully support the authority,
\nas it will proceed according to their mutual interests.<\/p>\n
Soni stressed the need for an integrated transportation system
\nin Greater Jakarta, as it is expected to streamline the
\ntransportation system in the region, which is the fastest
\ndeveloping region in the country.<\/p>\n
Bambang Brodjonegoro, a transportation expert from the
\nUniversity of Indonesia (UI), also supported the proposal to set
\nup the authority, emphasizing the need for total commitment from
\nlocal administrations.<\/p>\n
\"Local administrations, each of which already have a master
\nplan on transportation, must be willing to change these to
\naccommodate the integrated transportation system,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/transportation-body-proposed-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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