On the busway

It is not hard to guess that families residing in the capital will, for many years to come, be drawn again and again to debating the launch of the busway pilot project directly linking suburban Kebayoran Baru (Blok M), South Jakarta, to the downtown Kota commercial district.

The aim of the busway, a pet project of Governor Sutiyoso, is to provide a mode of swift, safe and clean public transportation to eliminate traffic jams and minimize the use of private cars.

As we know, its launch was an instant success and has been received enthusiastically by the public, if only because it is a novelty. A trip taking three hours by car can now be made in about 45 minutes by the busway.

Megawati's administration will benefit from the busway project without making special mention of it in her election campaign.

Likewise, Sutiyoso may now be seen as more humane, after he showed his iron heart and fist in forcefully clearing out slums. Hopefully, he is as ambitious in preventing floods, tackling poverty and unemployment, and improving public health services while fighting crime -- including the threat of terrorism.

The Busway is meant to chart a new artery into the heart of Jakarta -- only, it should not create traffic jams in other parts of the city or cause bus drivers to lose their jobs. Neglect in maintaining the busway will lead to catastrophe.

The only snag, it seems, is that Jakarta's streets now look narrower and traffic jams still occur -- although they are not as serious as before the advent of the busway.

GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta