Experts urge improvement of busway feeder
Urip Hudiono and Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In evaluating the busway's first month of operation, two independent studies highlighted the busway's poor feeder system and urged the Jakarta administration on Monday to develop more busway corridors.
One, a joint study conducted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Pelangi and Intrans, pointed out that without immediate improvement of the feeder system, the Blok M-Kota busway would face further operational problems.
"We endorse the busway, as it is currently the most affordable, appropriate form of public transportation for Jakarta. However, our studies reveal that it is not operating optimally," said Kuki Soejachmoen, vice director of Pelangi, an environmental watchdog.
Besides observations on the field, the NGOs supported their studies by interviewing more than 200 random busway passengers since its opening on Jan. 15.
Pelangi transportation policy analyst Andi Rahmah explained that the busway's feeder system included feeder bus services, pedestrian and passenger sidewalks and "park-and-ride" facilities for self-driving car owners.
Underlining the confusion among feeder bus operators and passengers, Intrans executive director Darmaningtyas suggested the busway management to familiarize supporting services and their operators on the system.
"If necessary, they should also reconsider the ticketing system and include bus companies in the busway consortium."
Tori Damantoro of Pelangi added that some of the appointed bus operators were reluctant to provide feeder bus services, fearing that it would only deprive them of their usual revenue.
As for passengers, Rahmah urged the busway management to provide information on the 17 available feeder bus routes and how to access the routes from each busway shelter.
"Moreover, several routes are a long walk from the shelters, while most of the connecting sidewalks are in poor condition. Ironically, many ramp-equipped busway bridges have taken up sidewalk space," she said.
She also proposed that a cooperation be set up with parking operators to provide parking facilities in the vicinity of shelters and terminals.
Darmaningtyas said participants of the study also proposed that fares should reflect the distance traveled, with the full route charged at Rp 2,000 (24 U.S. cents). The current fare is Rp 2,500 for any distance traveled.
A separate study conducted by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recommended the development of four more busway corridors by 2007: Kalideres-Pulogadung (25.9 kilometers), Blok M-Lebak Bulus (9.4 km), Kota-Ragunan (19.75 km) and Kota-Kampung Rambutan (24.85 km).
Assuming an increase in commuters and acute traffic jams over the next three years, the study on an integrated transportation master plan for Greater Jakarta (SITRAMP) said the addition of the four corridors was expected to resolve the chaotic traffic situation.
"For efficiency, the administration should open a tender for private companies to manage each of the four corridors," Wachi Tomokazu, SITRAMP team leader, said on Monday.