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)