Elderly struggle with stairs as Lenteng Agung pedestrian bridge lift breaks down

A number of elderly residents have complained of having to struggle up dozens of steps because the lift facility on the Lenteng Agung Pedestrian Bridge in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, is not functioning. “I just read that the lift cannot be used because it is under repair,” said Saefullah (66). Saefullah said he was going to visit a relative’s house in the Lenteng Agung area after two years apart. But upon arriving at the pedestrian bridge, he discovered that the lift he usually used was not operating. The man admitted to being exhausted from having to climb dozens of steps to cross. According to him, the existence of a lift is very important for elderly people with physical limitations. “For someone like me, I have to climb 60 steps here, and the same on the other side, so that means 120 steps in total. I am already tired just climbing this side,” said Saefullah. “I actually often use the lift. But if the lift is broken, I dare not take the stairs because my legs hurt and I am not strong enough,” said Lia. According to Lia, the rather steep stairs of the pedestrian bridge pose an obstacle for elderly residents as well as those with mobility impairments. Meanwhile, the Head of the Data and Information Centre at the Jakarta Bina Marga Office, Siti Dinarwenny, said the Lenteng Agung pedestrian bridge lift was temporarily out of service due to damage to the electrical system, allegedly caused by vandalism. “A number of the lift’s electrical cable networks were found to be in a severed condition, so the facility cannot be used by the public,” Wenny revealed. She explained that the damage was discovered on Tuesday (2/6), and currently, her office is carrying out repairs so that the lift can operate again in the near future. The Jakarta Bina Marga Office also urged the public to help look after public facilities so they remain functional and can be utilised by all citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities.