Tue, 14 Mar 2000

C. Jakarta mayoralty to redesign Senen terminal

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta mayoralty reconfirmed its plan on Monday to redesign the Senen bus terminal so as to improve traffic in the area.

Mayor Andi S. Abdullah said the mayoralty had three options with which to solve the problem: rebuilding existing facilities, expanding the terminal compound, or relocating the terminal to Kemayoran in Central Jakarta.

He said the most feasible option would be to rebuild the existing facilities.

"We need to adjust the plan with the budget. We need Rp 1 billion (about US$137,000) to implement the plan," he said.

He said the existing terminal could be demolished for the construction of a two-level building, the upper floor of which would house the terminal's offices and underneath would be used by buses.

Andi said he would discuss the plan during a budgetary meeting with City Council on Tuesday. "We will also cooperate with the City Land Transportation Agency regarding the implementation of the plan," he added.

The Senen bus terminal stands on a 900-square-meter plot, 600 square meters of which are used for parking while the remaining space is for its offices and public facilities.

According to official data, the terminal's capacity is only for 500 vehicles, but, in practice, about 1,100 buses and minivans operate in the terminal.

The second option offers the enlargement of the Senen terminal compound, which would require an additional one hectare of land and funds amounting to between Rp 10 billion and Rp 15 billion to compensate local residents for their land, priced at Rp 3 million per square meter.

The third option is to relocate the whole terminal to Kemayoran, which would also address public complaints on the shortage of public transportation in Kemayoran.

An official of Senen district said the current land price in the area was about Rp 4.6 million per square meter and that the expansion project would also help retain the traditional theater building of Wayang Orang Bharata, currently being renovated. (06)