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.