On the busway

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