Busway evaluation

Busway evaluation

From Trust

Based on the observations of Consumer Protection, Jakarta, the
free busway transport during the 14-day popularization period in
January missed its target.

The busway system was designed to offer security and comfort
to passengers, with a seating capacity of 80. But the number of
passengers in that period was allowed to exceed the bus'
capacity, thus making the transport uncomfortable.

From the beginning, the busway project was aimed at employees
with private cars, so that they would perhaps choose the
relatively cheaper public transport in order to reduce traffic
congestion. Those still going by car were subjected to the three-
in-one rule for the same purpose. In reality, main roads remained
crowded with private cars because the busway lane takes up four
meters of the road's width.

Feeder buses should have been operating in the course of the
popularization period, while regular or air-conditioned bus
services running parallel to busway routes should have been
suspended so that people experienced the benefits of the new
system. In the meantime, the quality of the busway service should
be enhanced by the increased number of feeder buses.

IRWAN SUKMAWIJAYA
Consumer Protection
Jakarta