'Busway might worsen traffic flow'

'Busway might worsen traffic flow'

The city administration plans to introduce the busway system,
which is designed to alleviate traffic along the bus route from
Blok M in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta. The plan has
drawn public skepticism, as critics say it is not an appropriate
solution for the problem. The Jakarta Post talked to residents
about the issue.

Nelly, 30, is a staff member at a private English school in
Central Jakarta. She is a resident of Cilandak, South Jakarta:

In a way, I'm happy to know that the city administration will
be doing something about the traffic next year. At least the new
system is going to benefit the commuters who go this route. I
will probably use it someday if it will help me get to my office
faster.

However, it's disappointing to see city residents' lack of
awareness when it comes to public transit. I mean a lot of well-
off people would rather take their cars to work.

Their habits contribute to severe traffic congestion in the
city. As a result, traffic is a serious problem since more people
are driving their own cars to work or school.

Besides, there could be a serious impact from the new system
as competition between the buses will be tougher.

I'm not sure if the busway system can achieve its goals.

Dian is a housewife who resides in Kayu Jati, East Jakarta
with her husband and daughter:

The busway system seems like an impossible mission! It sounds
crazy! With additional buses on the Blok M to Kota route, the
traffic could become even worse.

Public transit crews and city residents sorely lack discipline
and there is little public awareness about how to keep traffic
running smoothly. So, whatever the system will be, it won't make
any difference.

Worse still, most Jakartans feel that the buses are not a good
choice for a comfortable, safe ride. That's the reason why people
drive their own cars -- they feel safer. As a result, there are
more and more cars in the city, which then clogs the main roads
every day. It's no wonder then that traffic jams are getting
worse.

I guess it would be better to use the billions of rupiah in
the budget to improve comfort and safety on board the buses.

Once residents feel that the transit system is secure, they
will tend to use it.

I don't think the problems of heavy traffic can be solved
overnight. Instead, it will take a long time and involve
increasing public discipline and implementing safety standards.

Antonius, 40, is an employee at a private company in South
Jakarta. He resides in Tangerang with his wife and son:

I'm very pessimistic about the busway system because it will
not instantly solve the traffic problem.

The system will only aggravate traffic as there will be less
space for regular buses or other vehicles.

I cannot imagine that the addition of buses in the busway
system can alleviate traffic when the reverse will happen, and
there will be more jams due to drivers' lack of discipline.

Perhaps a subway system could help solve the traffic problem
if the city administration was able to stop flooding in the city.
The flyover might also help alleviate heavy traffic, as long as
the administration can afford it.

I think the system is a waste of money, and the billions of
rupiah it is costing would be better spent on helping city
residents.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.