Solving Jakarta's traffic problems

Every day, of every week, month and year, the traffic gets worse in Jakarta. In some places it is quicker by foot than vehicle and certainly quicker by bicycle than car.

It is encouraging to see that attempts are being made with the busway to alleviate the congestion; however, even the optimist remains pessimistic at this approach.

A light rail system, which has been used so successfully in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong, could indeed be a realistic approach to quick, affordable transport in Jakarta. A light rail link from Roxy to the business district is hardly an alternative transport network.

A light rail system that links the international and domestic airport terminals with Tangerang, then on to Gambir and Kota, would be a more intelligent approach, and a link from Tanjung Priok, stopping at Ancol, Pluit and Kota, down to the business district and beyond to Pondok Indah, would be far more sensible. The train network, airport and sea ports, as well as the large recreation area at Ancol and the business district, would all be interconnected.

To be successful though, there would need to be smooth operations, with services running on time, stopping only at stations and without fare evaders such as buskers.

The birds have left the National Monument, the deer are gone, the statues still stand and the buses are about to cause further delay. Let's have some real solutions to this problem.

MARK OGILVIE Jakarta