Seribu Islands sea transport development a gift for Jakarta's fifth centenary
Seribu Islands Regent Muhammad Fadjar Churniawan said the planned development of sea transport in the island regency, which will be managed by PT Transjakarta, is a gift for Jakarta’s fifth centenary for local island residents.
“Governor Pramono has good intentions for the people of the Seribu Islands as a gift for Jakarta’s fifth centenary, one of which is the revitalisation and improvement of sea transport services,” he said in Jakarta on Saturday.
According to him, the sea transport development plan to be carried out by PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) includes mapping the needs and conditions of sea transport services in the Seribu Islands.
“This is part of the Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to improving services for the people of the Seribu Islands,” he said.
Fadjar said that so far Seribu Islands residents have received sea transport services from the Transportation Agency. However, going forward, it is hoped that there will be a separation of regulatory and operator functions, with Transjakarta assigned as the operator.
“Regulation will remain with the Transportation Agency, but the operator, it is hoped, can be held by Transjakarta in the future,” he said.
“Indeed, in the Seribu Islands, which has so far been served by ojek boats, the cost for residents is very high. In fact, on weekends and approaching weekends, the number of tickets is also very limited,” he said.
Fadjar hopes that the mapping process carried out by Transjakarta can produce the best solutions according to the conditions and needs of the community on each island.
“We hope that we will provide input and suggestions to each other for the best possible service regarding sea transport, which will be managed by Transjakarta going forward,” he said.
Previously, PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) began mapping the needs and conditions of sea transport services in the Seribu Islands as part of the plan to develop water transport in the area.
The mapping activity began with a visit by Transjakarta’s board of directors and commissioners to Pramuka Island, Panggang Island, Kelapa Island, and Harapan Island in North Seribu Islands on Saturday.
PT Transjakarta President Director Welfizon Yuza said the company has received a mandate and assignment from the Governor of Jakarta to become the operator of water transport to the Seribu Islands.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Jakarta Provincial Transportation Agency Ujang Hermawan said the development of sea transport in the Seribu Islands requires different handling compared to land transport.
“Besides looking at the existence of facilities and infrastructure as well as the situation and conditions in the Seribu Islands, which are different from the mainland, this has unique characteristics and indeed requires professional handling,” said Ujang.
The Transportation Agency has so far continued to strive to improve transport services as well as supporting facilities and infrastructure in the Seribu Islands, including ports and piers.
The process of developing sea transport services still requires a number of refinement stages.