Jakarta and Tangerang to have a joint terminal

Jakarta and Tangerang to have a joint terminal

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta and Tangerang will soon have a new
shared bus terminal to provide better, congestion free
transportation services for the residents, an official said on
Monday.

"There was an agreement on May 30, 1999, between Tangerang
administration and West Jakarta mayoralty to construct a join
integrated terminal in Tangerang," Tangerang mayor Muhammad
Thamrin told The Jakarta Post at City Hall.

"The terminal construction will cost Rp 7.2 billion
(US$847,058) while the construction of a 9.1-kilometer road,
which will connect the new terminal with the outer ring road,
will cost Rp 1.5 billion per kilometer. The project also needs
another Rp 10 billion to acquire the required land," he added.

Thamrin, accompanied by head of Tangerang City Planning Agency
Istiarso, later discussed the planned construction in a meeting
with Jakarta's Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budihardjo
Sukmadi.

Budihardjo was accompanied by Assistant to City Secretary on
Development Affairs Ongky Sukasah, head of the City Housing
Agency Irzal Djamal, head of the City Public Works Agency Fadly
Khatib, head of the City Program Office Kosasih Wirahadikusumah,
and West Jakarta mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra.

The future 5-hectare terminal will be constructed in Poris
Pelawad subdistrict of Cipondoh district, Tangerang. Currently,
there is already a bus terminal in Kalideres, West Jakarta, which
is some five kilometers away from the future terminal.

"We will integrate the new terminal with Batuceper railway
station to provide better access for passengers. State-owned
railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has agreed to
expand the station, including the construction of a double track
railway to Jakarta," Thamrin said.

"Passengers can change their mode of transportation easily.
Those arriving from Sumatra, for example, can opt to take buses
or train to continue their journey to Jakarta," he added.

Both administrations have also agreed to construct a new road.

"The new terminal will be connected to Jakarta's outer ring
road by a new road, which is to be constructed parallel to
existing Jakarta-Tangerang railway," Thamrin said.

"Both cities will construct the road within respective
territorial jurisdiction. But Tangerang will be grateful if
Jakarta can shift some of its funds for construction in our
area," he added.

Construction of the new road will penetrate a number of
housing complexes that are mushrooming in the area, such as Taman
Royal Permata, Simprug di Poris, Taman Poris in Tangerang and
Taman Semanan Indah in West Jakarta.

"As neighboring cities, there are matters that must be settled
together. We must, for instance, regulate bus routes and traffic
on the new road," Thamrin said.

After the meeting, Budihardjo said the construction of the new
integrated terminal could save money for both administrations.

"We can allocate funds to other projects which in turn can
also benefit Tangerang residents," he said.

Ongky dubbed this type of development as borderless.

"As neighboring cities, we must implement regional-based
development instead of territory-based development," he said.

"Why do we have to have two terminals in such a short
distance? We can turn the money to other projects," Ongky added.

Budihardjo said there were several options for Kalideres
terminal after the construction of the new terminal is finished.

"We can turn the terminal into a distribution center for the
western part of the city, just like Kramatjati market for the
eastern part," he said.

Another option was revealed by mayor Sarimun, suggesting the
terminal could be turned into a vehicle inspection center.

"We still have to make several evaluations before deciding,"
he said.

Thamrin also said his administration was offering its model of
slum area management to Jakarta.

"We have developed a model to manage slum housing areas, such
as those located near the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Now we are offering the model to Jakarta," he said.

Separately, head of the Tangerang office of the State Ministry
of Public Works Engkan Lengkana said on Tuesday that his office
would repair 32 streets in Tangerang, which are currently in bad
condition with Rp 24 billion from the city budget.

"We'll allocate some 70 percent of the fund for the renovation
of damaged main streets and the remaining 30 percent for damaged
inter-community roads," he told reporters.

Engkan said that his office would also construct the Cisadane
bridge to connect the main streets of Jl. Imam Bonjol and Jl.
M.H. Thamrin, along with the renovation of the water canal along
Jl. M.H. Thamrin, which will reduce flooding in the area,
especially during rainy seasons. (41/nvn/imn)