'Shuttle buses ease traffic jams'

'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