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