Pulogebang bus terminal project to start in July

JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a bus terminal in East Jakarta which has been delayed since 1990, will start in July, the project's developer said yesterday.

Hajid, the president of PT Rodial Eron, that will develop the local and inter-city terminal in Pulogebang, said it would begin operating in 1999.

He had presented a revised terminal design to Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

The head of the City's Land Transport Agency, J.P. Sepang, said "small changes" were still needed.

"The governor has basically approved the new design," he said.

The six-year delay since the agreement with the city was signed, has caused the developer's investment to swell from Rp 7 billion to Rp 110.6 billion (US$45.3 million).

The city's demand for the design to be changed, the change in officials handling terminals were two factors that caused the wait, a source said.

The City's Land Transport Control Agency demanded the terminal be built on 10 hectares, the standard terminal size. But the developer refused, saying it was only required to provide 7.1 hectares.

A change in officials, after a scandal over another terminal, Kampung Rambutan, meant Rodial Eron was forced to go through lengthy procedures to get permits, the source said.

A scandal developed after the Kampung Rambutan terminal partially collapsed only days after it was opened by former governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto on Oct. 5, 1992.

Government officials decried the contractor's sloppy work, and accused city officials of collusion. Some city officials were replaced.

The design for the new Pulogebang terminal, through which 11,000 buses will pass daily, followed the 1990 property barter agreement.

The company was granted the 3.5 hectares where the current Pulogadung bus station stands. It plans to turn this into shopping and office complexes.

Rodial Eron was given the right to manage the new terminal for 30 years, including commercial areas.

The terminal, some 10 kilometers east of Pulogadung, will replace the dilapidated and outdated Pulogadung bus terminal. It now caters to around 40,000 passengers a day, 80,000 in holiday seasons.

The new terminal was originally due to be completed in 1998.

Of the investment of Rp 110 billion, Rp 23.7 billion was for land, Rp 787.5 million for the renovation of the Pulogadung terminal and Rp 86 billion for construction. City assets in Pulogadung terminal are estimated at Rp 38.5 billion.

Hajid said the environmental impact analysis and detailed traffic study had been completed.

"The reports were presented to officials in 1995," Hajid said.

Pulogebang may be the first modern terminal without ticket brokers because it will only allow passengers to enter departure or arrival platforms.

The terminal building will measure 57,465 square meters. It will have different lines, entrances and exits for city and intercity buses.

The terminal will accommodate 11,000 people in its waiting room. It will have a drivers' inn, banks, cafes, gas filling stations and other facilities.

It will accommodate 400 city buses from 50 routes an hour and 300 intercity buses from 51 routes an hour. (ste)