Senen bus terminal project not priority: Councillors

JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a new bus terminal on the site of the existing Planet Senen youth center in Central Jakarta remains a long-term plan, a city councilor said on Sunday.

Secretary of City Council Commission D for development affairs Bimo Hastoro said the plan was being discussed by councilors and the relevant city agencies, including the City Planning Agency.

"The zoning plan for the Senen area, which mostly accommodates transportation termini and commercial centers in Central Jakarta, still needs several adjustments in order not to adversely affect nearby districts," Bimo said.

He was responding to an earlier statement by Central Jakarta Mayor Andi S. Abdullah, who said a two-level terminal, similar to the existing one in Blok M, South Jakarta, would be built on the 2.3-hectare plot where Planet Senen stands as part of an attempt to reduce traffic in the bustling Senen area.

The project, which would cost about Rp 100 billion, was expected to begin this year, while the current bus terminal would be converted into a commercial center.

Andi said that Planet Senen would be relocated to Kemayoran because the Senen area was no longer suitable as a place for youths to congregate.

Bimo said that the basic planning policy for the Senen area had so far been focused on the development of commercial areas, like the Pasar Senen market complex and Atrium mall, which supported adjacent residential areas such as Cempaka Putih and Menteng.

He insisted that the current problem of traffic congestion resulting from the location of a bus terminal and train station in the area had been temporarily reduced by the overpass connecting Jl. Kramat Raya and Jl. Pasar Senen.

"I guess the relocation plan should only begin in 2002 at the earliest," he said.

He added that given the uncertainty concerning the plan to relocate the existing Planet Senen, the present bus terminal might simply need to be expanded or have its current layout reconfigured.

Another councilor, Tjuk Sudono, also dismissed the need for constructing a new bus terminal in Senen in the near future.

The 2001 city budget provided only Rp 500 million for the erection of new traffic signs at the Senen bus terminal, according to Tjuk.

"We are discussing the best solution for the bus terminal," said Tjuk.

He added that instead of allocating funds to build a new terminal, the current city budget earmarked Rp 32.2 billion solely for bus terminal improvements, with most of the money going on the acquisition of land for the planned Pulogebang bus terminal which is to replace the overcrowded Pulogadung terminal in East Jakarta.

The existing Senen bus terminal stands on a 900-square-meter site, 600 square meters of which is used for the parking of buses while the remainder is used for terminal offices and public facilities.

The terminal is designed to accommodate only 500 vehicles, but some 1,100 buses and minivans operate out of the terminal daily.

Besides unlicensed vendors, many beggars, car cleaners, street musicians and vagrants also throng the terminal. Makeshift kiosks are found on every sidewalk, while buskers mingle with passengers. Pickpocketing is rife. (07)