Observers urge better busway setup

Observers urge better busway setup

Evi Mariani and Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta

Transportation observers have deemed the service of the
six-month-old busway has improved, but urged the administration
to provide the expected supporting infrastructure to maintain
good services.

"The busway service should implement a feeder system and
comfortable pedestrian facilities," said Andi Rahmah of the
Pelangi Foundation in an evaluation of the busway since its
launch on Jan. 15.

Rahmah said inadequate pedestrian facilities to and from
busway stops had discouraged some potential passengers.

"Train passengers who alight at the elevated Sudirman station
in Central Jakarta opt for other public transportation, like
minibuses, rather than the busway because no proper sidewalk
connects the railway station to the Tosari or Dukuh Atas busway
stops," she told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

However, Rahmah lauded busway operator Transjakarta for its
continued efforts in improving services.

"I have observed that Transjakarta responds quickly to
complaints received via its hotline," she said.

Six months into its operation, the Transjakarta busway has
recorded an average 46,000 passengers a day, exceeding its
estimated target of 20,000 passengers.

The latest data from the city transportation agency shows that
60,000 people commute between Blok M, South Jakarta, and Kota,
West Jakarta, along the busway's first line.

"Calculations show that Transjakarta has reaped Rp 3.49
billion (US$392,134) in net profit in 160 days. This has proven
that public transportation can be a profitable business that does
not necessarily require a government subsidy," Rahmah said.

Ernst & Young (E&Y), which consulted the administration on the
busway, earlier reported that Transjakarta could fully cover its
daily operation cost of Rp 6,500 per kilometer if it could
attract an average of 37,565 passengers per day.

Another observer's report showed the number of passengers had
grown by 27 percent from 1.15 million people in February -- its
first month of operation -- to 1.47 million passengers in June.

Pelangi executive director Kuki Soejachmoen added the busway
had the potential to be a gold mine for the capital.

For the busway to help reduce air pollution, Rahmah said buses
along the planned east-west lines connecting Pulogadung-Monas-
Kalideres should utilize environmentally friendly fuel, such as
compressed natural gas.

Meanwhile, head of TransJakarta operations Sr. Comr. Rene
Nunumete said on Thursday the management would resume the
deployment of public order officers in response to reports of
pickpockets, who are targeting passengers on buses when guards
are not aboard.

"We will deploy officers posing as passengers on each bus," he
said.

The busway runs daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Rene advised passengers to alert the driver immediately if
they felt they had lost something on a bus.

"The driver would seal the bus and contact security officers
at the nearest busway stop to conduct a search... Don't wait
until you have arrived at your destination stop to make a
complaint," he added.