Subway system for Jakarta is essential

Subway system for Jakarta is essential

A few days ago the difficulties that stand in the way of
building a subway system for Jakarta were revealed by Governor
Surjadi Soedirdja when he asked for assistance from House
Commission II for home affairs. The biggest obstacle, according
to the Governor, is the government's ruling prohibiting regional
administrations from seeking soft foreign loans. Such loans are
needed because the Jakarta City administration lacks the
necessary funds to start the project.

Governor Surjadi's dilemma deserves our attention since most
of us agree that a strategic approach is needed to solve
Jakarta's transportation problems. The subway project, which is
to be undertaken by a consortium of Indonesian, Japanese and
European companies, is important in this context. If it is kept
clean and comfortable Jakartans would probably use it as their
daily means of transportation.

The preference for private cars would eventually shift in
favor of the subway. This would be helpful since it would ease
the traffic jams and reduce air and sound pollution emitted by
buses, motorbikes and private cars. By maintaining a standard of
service that is superior to that which is currently available on
the Jabotabek commuter trains, people could be persuaded to be
more disciplined. Because the frequency of the subway service
would be relatively high, for example, discipline regarding the
observance of timetables would be needed.

Originally the subway construction project was scheduled to
begin in April this year, with services starting in 2001. This
time schedule, however, will be difficult to maintain if the
obstacles which the Jakarta City administration face are not
removed. Considering all this it would be appropriate for us to
pay attention to Governor Surjadi's dilemma so that Jakarta's
transportation problems may be resolved fundamentally and on a
long-term basis.

-- Republika, Jakarta