Controversial busway project to have 'bus marshals'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a bid to prevent the all too common onboard bus crimes, the Jakarta administration plans to deploy armed and well-trained security officers on each of the 60 buses to be operated for the controversial busway project.

"We've considered deploying joint forces of the police, the city Public Order office and the transportation agency," Rustam Effendi, head of the city transportation agency, was quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday.

He revealed that the public order agency and transportation agency officers were already equipped with pistols, and therefore, no additional budget items would be needed for the bus marshals.

"Even without the officers, security on the buses is guaranteed because only passengers with tickets will be allowed to get through the secured bus shelters. A criminal cannot get in as easily," Rustam hoped.

The busway route is to span 12.9 kilometers from the Blok M area in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta.

The administration has planned to operate the route, which is on the fast lane of the roads, and provide the feeder bus routes by the end of December.

Critics say the project would further disrupt the city traffic as the preparations were unclear despite the huge funds allocated for it.

The administration has promised cheaper bus fares and cleaner, more comfortable buses.

However, Rustam still cannot determine whether such a security measure would also be used for the feeder buses.

The buses plying the busway route will replace the regular buses currently serving the Blok M - Kota route.

The budget for the project have been increased from the original Rp 86 billion (US$ 10.36 million) to a total of Rp 118 billion. The additional Rp 32 billion was earmarked to improve the construction of pedestrian overpasses and sheltered platforms.