JP/3/Ferry/set lead 2 cols 10 pts/12MB

JP/3/Ferry/set lead 2 cols 10 pts/12MB

Two ferries to ply Jakarta Bay-Seribu Islands route

JAKARTA (JP): The residents of the Seribu Islands will find it
easier and quicker to reach Jakarta as the government will begin
operating two ferries to ply the route on a daily basis starting
next month.

The two ferries, KMP Betok I and II, owned by the PT ASDP
water transportation firm, a state-owned company under the
Ministry of Transportation, will cruise the Jakarta Bay-Kelapa
Island and Tidung Island route.

Head of the Jakarta office of the Ministry of Transportation
Karim T.J. said yesterday during a tour of the harbors in Tidung
and the Kelapa islands that he hopes the economy on the two
islands will develop and more tourists will visit them with the
operation of the ferries.

He said each ferry, which is valued at Rp 1.9 billion
(US$891,600), has 117 seats and is equipped with an air-
conditioner.

The ferries are scheduled to ply the route twice a day, in the
morning and afternoon, under the so-called "crossing mode." This
means when Betok I is leaving Kelapa Island for Jakarta, Betok II
will be traveling in the opposite direction.

At 10 knots per hour, it will take three hours for the ferries
to cruise the 24-mile distance between Sunda Kelapa harbor and
Kelapa Island.

Karim said the ferry fare has yet to be decided.

Secretary to the chief of the Kidung Island subdistrict,
Muchamad Ali Saleh, explained that the residents of the island
now paid Rp 1,500 (US 70 cents) for a trip to Rawasaban village,
Tangerang aboard a boat owned by the subdistrict administration.
Then they go by buses to Jakarta.

"It costs each passenger Rp 5,000 ($2.3) to reach Jakarta,"
Ali was quoted by Antara as saying.

There are reportedly 4,000 people living on the Kelapa and
Tidung islands respectively.

The Seribu Island district, which comprises 11 subdistricts
including Tidung and Kelapa, is categorized as one of the poverty
pockets of the city.

The most recent study reveals that the average housewife has
only Rp 7,000 ($3.33) each month with which to feed and clothe
her family. Families must spend Rp 7,500 ($3.5) per month simply
to finance the schooling of their high-school aged children.

Analysts have blamed the poverty on many factors, including
the lack of transportation connecting the islands to Jakarta.

Waiting

Karim further said he is still waiting for a decree from the
governor which will allow the ferries to call at the Sunda Kelapa
or Muara Baru ports.

"Pending the gubernatorial decree, we will use Sunda Kelapa,
although the port is very busy serving cargo ships. I hope the
Muara Baru harbor (which also functions as fish market) can also
serve the Betok ferries since there is already a public bus
terminal," said Karim.

He added that the construction of the ports in Tidung and the
Kelapa islands, worth Rp 2.2 billion ($1.03 million)
collectively, has already been completed.

"The ports are ready to use now," said Karim. (jsk)