Capital needs transparent subway project: Experts

JAKARTA (JP): Two experts have hailed the idea to build a subway system in the capital to help reduce the chronic traffic congestion, but asked the authorities to be transparent on the possible hindrances and budget expenditures.

Contacted separately on Saturday, urban designer Suryono Herlambang of Tarumanegara University (Untar) and transportation engineer Alan Marino of the University of Indonesia (UI) said the transparency of the project is very important for the public, who would be the main users of the subway.

According to Suryono, the people of Jakarta still lack information about the subway project, particularly the safety of the proposed Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.

"City residents need to know more on the project, such as the feasibility to construct such a massive underground tunnel in the capital," he said.

It has been reported that several locations in Jakarta experienced significant subsidence of more than 80 centimeters for the past several years.

"Will the tunnel be watertight or not. We don't expect the tunnel to be inundated like the Soedyatmo toll road," Suryono said, referring to a the main road connecting the city and the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport west of Jakarta.

Part of the toll road was heavily flooded late last year, causing several international and domestic flights to cancel their flights as many of their passengers and crew were stranded on the road.

Sharing Suryono's idea, Alan suggested the related parties involved in the project allow city councillors to help supervise the subway project.

"The project involves a great amount of money. We can't tolerate another corruption case," he said.

As reported earlier, the fate of the proposed multi-billion dollar subway project is scheduled to be announced at the end of this year. It is awaiting the results of the environmental analysis (Amdal).

The Japanese government, through its Miyazawa Plan and Special Yen Loan program, has committed to financing the project. According to an initial proposal, the project would connect the Fatamwati area in South Jakarta and the Kota Railway Station in West Jakarta.

According to the two experts, such an MRT system is badly needed. "The condition of the public transportation here is different with the situation of some 20 years ago due to the growing population," Alan said.

The city actually needs any form of MRT in a bid to serve the estimated 12 million residents. "Either subway, elevated or combined, it doesn't matter. What we really need is a clear political will," he said.

"The existing Jabotabek railway system is also a form of MRT. We can still improve this system to carry more passengers," he added.

Alan also suggested the Jakarta Administration further improve the parking fee management system so part of the revenue can help finance the city's MRT system.

"We have to construct the MRT right now, or we will have to carry a greater burden in the future," he emphasized.

Suryono, on the other hand, asked the city authorities to also improve the public bus system which needs less funds compared to the planned subway project.

"Even though we have a subway, we still need a good bus system to carry people. The absence of an adequate bus system creates traffic problems," he said.

"Transportation system is just like blood system in our body. We have always to channel the flow, otherwise a blockage will occur," he added.

He said the presence of subway terminals along the city's major streets would bring advantages to business and commercial ventures.

"Imagine if one of the stations is located near Sogo or Sarinah department stores. They are exposed to a great number of potential buyers. This will be the case at other stations as well," Suryono said. (nvn)