Gridlock as usual as 3-in-1 project on trial

Gridlock as usual as 3-in-1 project on trial

Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Taking a regular non air-conditioned bus from Blok M, South
Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta, during the middle-of-the-day is
barely any different from catching a regular bus during three-in-
one restricted periods.

It took more than an hour to travel along the 12.9-kilometer
route on Tuesday, at around midday. The bus left for the Kota
station with at least 70 passengers, a street singer, a driver
and his assistant, onboard.

Passengers paid only Rp 1,200 (14 U.S. cents) for a seat. The
many passengers left standing, however, were not offered a
cheaper ride. With the street singer churning out religious
songs, the bus began its daily route.

Traffic was light until the bus intersected the Senayan
traffic circle, South Jakarta. Here the road was congested with
cars, especially those in the fast lane heading toward Jl. Jend.
Sudirman.

This was the bus' first encounter with the Jakarta
Administration's much-vaunted busway project, which is slated to
kick off on Jan. 15. Busway passengers will pay Rp 2,500 for a
"comfortable ride" in one of the 56 air-conditioned buses
provided.

The bus was stuck in heavy traffic after entering Harmoni
area, Central Jakarta, also on the busway corridor.

From the Duta Merlin business complex on Jl. Gajah Mada, the
bus virtually traveled at snail's pace, sometimes stopping for
five minutes or so.

There were five lanes of cars on the street, including the
busway lane, which was supposed to be clear from vehicles other
than the specially designed buses. Despite the time of day,
traffic was consistent with rush-hour.

Inside the bus, a little girl asked passengers for alms. Some
people fanned themselves because of the heat.

Cars were very close to each other, frustrated drivers sounded
their horns. Along the side of the street, cars were parked in
front of offices and shops, adding to the traffic jam.

Several drivers also made U-turns, obstructing traffic flow
further. Lane dividers for busway -- from the front of the
Jayakarta restaurant to a gas station, built on the median strip
in front of the Hwi-Lindeteves market -- were not yet ready.

Although most of the lane dividers had been established, many
of them had not been painted yet. The unpainted lane dividers
caused accidents as many drivers did not notice them.

The journey became even more of an ordeal as the bus neared
the Glodok electronic market, West Jakarta. Here the street was
constricted with many street vendors offering pirated VCDs and
electronic appliances. Vehicles also had to queue before passing
the market.

After passing the Metropole hotel, the bus finally managed to
speed up all the way to Kota railway station. It appeared that
cars making U-turns in front of the hotel were largely
responsible for the traffic jam here.

The bus stopped at the station area for some 20 minutes,
giving the driver the chance to take a break, before reversing
his direction to face more congestion, all the way back to Blok
M.

Traffic conditions are appalling, even before busway is
introduced on Jan. 15, next year. Will busway be able to ease
congestion? The administration's claim that private car owners
will switch to using the busway system can only be proved by the
citizens themselves.