'Shuttle buses ease traffic jams'

To cut fuel consumption by private vehicles, some parties have called on developers of suburban housing complexes to provide shuttle buses for residents. The Jakarta Post talked with several people for their take on the suggestion.

Dita Eka Apriyanti, 25, is an interior designer who lives in Lippo Karawaci, West Java, which does provide shuttle buses for residents.

Even though taking the shuttle bus to Jakarta is kind of expensive, it is better than having to squeeze into hot and overcrowded public buses.

But the shuttle bus is practical only if you are heading to one place. If I plan to travel around the city, I drive myself.

It is a good idea for large complexes like mine to provide shuttle buses, but of course not every housing estate needs buses. That would only make the streets even more crowded.

From what I have seen, people who own their own cars and have drivers would not opt for the facility. So it might be more effective to provide shuttle busses at middle-class housing complexes rather than luxury complexes.

Imam Hartono, 70, is a retired public servant who lives in South Jakarta.

I used a shuttle bus when I visited a friend at Sentul, Bogor. It was quite comfortable but a little expensive compared with air-conditioned public buses.

The idea of shuttle buses would work for suburban housing complexes with a lot of residents working in Jakarta. However, the managements of housing complexes would first have to determine whether residents would use the facility.

Otherwise, it would just be a waste.

From what I have heard from relatives who live in complexes with shuttle buses, using the shuttle bus reduces their stress because they do not have to drive. Supposedly, the plan would east traffic congestion as well.

The Jakarta Post