City to relocate Senen terminal

JAKARTA (JP): The Planet Senen youth center in Central Jakarta will soon be demolished to make way for a new bus terminal which will replace an existing one nearby, mayor Andi S. Abdullah said on Thursday.

Andi said the relocation of the bus terminal was necessary to reduce traffic in the bustling Senen area.

The area where the current bus terminal stands will be converted into a business center, thus expanding the Pasar Senen market complex.

"The new bus terminal, which will cost about Rp 100 billion (about US$10.526 million) will have a similar design to the Blok M bus terminal," said Andi after a plenary meeting at the City Council.

The new terminal will be built on 2.3 hectares of land, which includes 1.8 hectares of the Planet Senen compound. Andi said the project will need nine months to complete.

"The new terminal will have two-levels. Passengers will board and alight from buses on the upper floor, while the ground floor will host the terminal's offices and vendors," he said.

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

The terminal is designed to accommodate only 500 vehicles, but some 1,100 buses and minivans operate in the terminal.

Besides unlicensed vendors, many beggars, car cleaners, street musicians and vagrants also throng the terminal. Makeshift kiosks are found on every sidewalk, while buskers mingle with passengers. Pickpocketing is common here.

Senen is also one of busiest shopping areas in the city. It is also a first stop for migrants before they settle down in the capital as many of them who come to Jakarta by train, disembark at the Senen railway station.

Andi said the Planet Senen youth center will be relocated to Kemayoran because the current area was no longer favorable as a place for youth to congregate.

Activities held at the youth center, which was opened in 1974, include sport, theater, art, and social and political discussions.

Mayor Andi said the construction project would begin soon as the program had been planned since last year. (07)