Bogor traffic jams

Bogor traffic jams

From Republika

On Sunday, Dec. 22, 1996 I went to a wedding at Dermaga, nine kilometers from Bogor. It took more than one hour to get there; a traffic jam occurred between the Merdeka terminal and Dermaga. The source of the congestion, however, was at the three-way Bogor-Dermaga-Parung intersection, where self-appointed traffic attendants regulated the flow of motor vehicles despite the presence of a policeman.

If traffic in the area is the same each weekend, I wonder how Bogor attracts tourists. It is said Bogor and Jakarta exchange things: Bogor sends floods to Jakarta and Jakarta sends traffic jams to Bogor.

I think traffic problems are the responsibility of a number of government agencies. However the regional government, as the "goalkeeper", must have the biggest share. Traffic jams are proof of the regional government's inability to solve local traffic problems.

There have been a number of television and press stories about the problem recently. Bogor has, officially, 4,500 public transport vehicles. However,it is estimated that the real number is 12,000. To my knowledge the press has never alluded to this problem.

What are officials doing to solve the problem? If new schemes are being planned, what stage are these at? If the regional government offices are too busy to solve the problem, why do these very offices close in the afternoon?

Why shouldn't government officials work as hard as those in the private sector, many of whom work from dawn till dusk, and often into the night.

The offices on Jl. Sudirman in Jakarta are still lit at 10 p.m. These people are not having a party; they are working hard. Anthony Salim, son of tycoon Sudono Salim, told Charles Ong of Jamu Nyonya Meneer, "Do not be jealous of me as a tycoon's son, but you can envy my method of working." Anthony works until 2 a.m. each morning. If regional government officials worked that hard they would solve our problems. Businesspeople hire foreign consultants for their expertise; regional governments should model themselves on other world cities that have succeeded in solving their problems of traffic congestion.

Bogor is a small town. Before it explodes into a big city like Jakarta, the regional government must find a solution to its ongoing traffic problems.

BUDI HANDRIANTO

Jakarta