'Busway is good, but won't last'

The launch of the controversial busway project, not unexpectedly, attracted thousands of Jakartans to take a free ride from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta, along the special traffic- free lane. Some commuters The Jakarta Post spoke to found the busway had its advantages, but also liabilities.

Dede Syahputra, 42, works at a courier company in Tomang, Central Jakarta. He lives in Serpong, Tangerang, with his wife and two children:

I found that the ride wasn't so comfortable, as I had to vie for space on the bus, which was still taking passengers. The bus was also stuck for quite a long time in a traffic jam at the intersection near the State Palace.

Well, the busway shortens my travel time from the Blok M bus terminal to Glodok, West Jakarta. Usually, it takes me about two hours, but today it took less than an hour. The air conditioner also helped to ease my weariness.

Opi, 27, is a paraplegic who lives in Pondok Bambu, East Jakarta:

The bus is quite comfortable, but it doesn't provide any safety rails for people confined to wheelchairs, just the handrails near the doors.

The ramps are also too steep for me, so I have to ask others to help.

The entrance gates at several shelters are too narrow for wheelchairs, like the one in Kota.

Another thing is the wide gap between the bus and the shelter platform, which is not only dangerous for disabled people, but also for elderly people and pregnant women.

Budi, 35, works at state electricity company PLN. He lives with his wife and children in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta:

I parked my motorcycle at Ratu Plaza and boarded one of the buses. So far, the busway is good in terms of comfort and arrival time. It's the fastest bus, as well.

But I'm afraid such good things won't last, because of undisciplined passengers or the motorists who get in the busway lane. Today, we have many police officers to ensure the launch ran successfully, but later, the busway will face some really big trouble.

-- The Jakarta Post