'I prefer my car even if I have to take a joki'

'I prefer my car even if I have to take a joki'

The launching of the TransJakarta Busway on Thursday was warmly
welcomed by people in Greater Jakarta, with many trying out the
buses during the two-week free trial period. For motorists, the
busway means being trapped in endless traffic jams along the
busway route from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta,
and avoiding travel during the hours of the extended three-in-one
traffic zone. Some private car users conveyed their complaints to
The Jakarta Post.

Amelia, 24, is an employee of a private company on Jl.
Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She lives in Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta
Selatan:

I don't think I will use the busway since I can still drive my
own car to the office on Jl. Sudirman in Semanggi area. I can
avoid the three-in-one traffic zone by taking the back entrance
to my office building.

I am trying the busway today just to have lunch at Plaza
Indonesia because it's free of charge. But I don't know, when the
buses are fully operational... maybe I'll just have the food
delivered.

I think the buses are comfortable enough and I really enjoyed
my first experience on board. Admittedly the buses are very
crowded but I think it's still tolerable.

Rio, 30, is a sales executive of a company on Jl. Thamrin,
Central Jakarta. He lives in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta:

I would still prefer to drive my own car from home to the
office even if I have to use joki (people who pose as passengers
for a small fee) every day to be able to enter the three-in-one
zone.

I find the busway confusing. Should I go to Blok M first from
my home or to the nearest point along the busway corridor? And
when the feeder buses are available, will they be comfortable and
convenient?

I think the busway is only useful for those who travel along
the corridor. But for those who only travel along some parts of
the corridor, the absence of the feeder buses will make the
busway useless.

-- The Jakarta Post