'Developers must prepare buses'

In response to the government's call to save energy, some people have decided to leave their cars behind and hitch or commute to the office. Some are also taking shuttle buses provided by housing complexes. The Jakarta Post talked to residents in Tangerang, Banten about the possibility of requiring all developers to provide shuttle buses for their residents.

Dino, 35, is a resident of Villa Serpong housing complex in Tangerang regency. He works on Jl. M.H Thamrin in Central Jakarta.

If you ask me whether or not housing developers should provide shuttle buses, I would say that I completely agree. It will not only save energy, but also help residents to reach their work places.

But, I do not think that all developers would have the capability to provide it. Developers of small housings estates would oppose such a requirement.

Therefore, if the government requires developers to provide such a transportation facility, smaller developers, must be allowed to cooperate with other developers in providing such a facility.

If each developer is required to provide shuttle buses for its residents, it will not only burden the company, but I am afraid, the buses will not be fully utilized because only a few passengers will take advantage of them.

Budiono, 40, is a resident of Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex in Serpong, Tangerang regency. He works on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Central Jakarta.

Frankly speaking, I do not use the shuttle buses provided by the developer because I prefer to take an executive train to go to my office. But, I can say that the presence of shuttle buses is very helpful for residents.

As you know, there are three routes of BSD shuttle buses -- BSD to Ratu Plaza in South Jakarta, BSD to Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, and BSD to Mangga Dua in North Jakarta.

I have tried the bus going to Mangga Dua. It's quite good. We can sleep during the trip after paying Rp 8,000 (US$82 cents). Every time I have to go to Mangga Dua I always take the bus, particularly if I do not have any other destination.

But, if you ask me whether other developers should also be required to provide shuttle buses, I would say it depends. A developer of a small housing complex may not have the capacity to provide it.

The Jakarta Post