'I hope no graft in these projects'

To ease chronic traffic problems in Jakarta, the city administration has been working on projects to ease traffic congestion, including the construction of a monorail and busway expansion. The busway, which started operating on Jan. 15, received strong criticism but the administration plans to continue with the next route, which will run between Pulogadung and Kalideres. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on the issue.

Gunawan Wibisono, 43, is a public relations officer at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta. He lives in Bambu Apus, East Jakarta:

I support efforts by the city administration and also by the police to address chaotic transportation problems in the capital.

Expansion of the busway and construction of a monorail will contribute significantly to resolving transportation problems.

However, the infrastructure itself is not enough. The administration and the police must take tougher measures against public transportation drivers and operators who often violate the rules by driving recklessly and who do not maintain their vehicles, which produce a lot of pollution.

Yuli Anggraeni, 25, works for a telecommunications company in Kuningan, South Jakarta. She lives in Bekasi with her parents and younger brother:

As a regular passenger on the Pulogadung to Blok M bus and Bekasi to Gambir electric commuter train, I think the busway and monorail projects would be beneficial to me if they served the routes I took regularly.

Based on my experience, I've found the busway more comfortable and faster. I also think the monorail will be effective in complementing the busway and existing bus routes.

However, I don't agree if the projects are constructed along green corridors, which are needed by the city, or result in people being evicted from their dwellings.

I also hope the officials concerned don't become involved in markups or other project corruption, which is common practice in such megaprojects.

-- The Jakarta Post