Mass transit

Mass transit

Nowadays congestion in Jakarta is horrible. Five years ago
there were just peak periods with traffic jams on certain major
roads. But now there is no distinction. Traffic jams can occur at
6 a.m. on a very local road in the suburbs far away from the
center of the city. I hate to imagine what the traffic will be
like three to five years from now.

I understand that the government is planning to build a subway
mass transit system along the Blok M-Kota route. That is good
news! And a very good solution. But that is not enough,
especially with the Jabotabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and
Bekasi) population expected to reach more than 23 million in
2000. Jakarta needs more mass transit lines.

I notice that the master plan also includes the east-west line
which stretches from Tangerang to Cakung. Why wait until the Blok
M-Kota line is finished? Why not start the Tangerang--Cakung
line? They will form a cross radial network and the network
effect is there. We should have already begun.

I do not think the problem is about funding as foreign
consortiums have already offered to finance the project. This
line would be more profitable than the Blok M--Kota line because
the catchment area along the line is still developing. The
investor will have more opportunity to invest in property along
the line rather than Blok M--Kota line that is already developed.

Jakarta is already left behind, and the congestion has
occurred in front of our homes.

CORRY

Jakarta