Lack of transportation a bane for Jakarta Fairground

JAKARTA (JP): The frequent exhibitions and sociocultural events at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, have led to call for the city administration to consider establishing bus routes to and from the area.

Rudi Hendra, deputy coordinator of exhibition operator PT Jakarta International Trade Fair said on Friday bus routes were needed to serve the fairground's visitors and employees.

"We are relying on the city public transportation operators to open routes passing through the area here," he said.

"It remains an unresolved problem for employees and visitors."

He said bus owners were unwilling to establish new routes due to the insignificant number of passengers wishing to travel to and from the area.

"The drivers have repeatedly complained that there are not enough passengers to cover their operational costs. While at the same time they have to pay a certain fixed amount of money to their respective bus firm managements on a daily basis," he said.

"We have aired the problem several times to the city administration and the City Public Land Transportation Owners Association (Organda), but the problem still exists," he added.

The official said Metromini public minibuses plied the Pondok Labu-Kemayoran route, passing along the nearby roads of Jl. Industri and Jl. Benyamin Sueb.

"But they have never passed the street in front of the fairground area," he said.

"There are also PT Mayasari Bhakti buses which go down Jl. Benyamin Sueb, but they make a detour before they get close to the fairground area," he added.

A staffer at an exhibition firm said no buses were willing to take him close to the fairground area.

"I have to pay another Rp 2,500 (35 US cents) to take a bajaj (three-wheeled taxi) from the place where the bus makes the detour to the fairground's entrance gate. This adds to my expenses," the staffer, identified only as Adi, said.

Rudi said transport during exhibitions or events at the fairground was overseen by event organizers.

"They provide daily buses to transport their guests and visitors, but only to a nearby bus shelter," he said.

"Meanwhile, for the yearly Jakarta Fair exhibition, which is held in connection with the city's anniversary celebration, 550 public vehicles are provided for the fair's 66,600 daily visitors, because the parking lot in the area is only capable of accommodating some 5,000 vehicles," he added.

He said new bus routes could help solve the acute transportation problems the public were suffering from.

"Hopefully, the transportation problems can soon be settled in line with the growth in business activities and housing complex developments in Kemayoran." he said. (06)