Sutiyoso wants busway launch to be perfect

Damar Harsanto and Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso has staked his reputation on the busway project, and he let the busway drivers know on Monday that he expected they would not let him down and do their part to make the project a success.

"Do not disappoint me. Show me your capabilities and maintain your image as good drivers," Sutiyoso told 126 busway drivers on Monday at City Hall.

"Don't make any mistakes like hitting the bus shelter while driving, because the reporters behind you will immediately take pictures of the incident," he said, warning them to expect intense media coverage.

Sutiyoso said the drivers would earn a "reasonable salary" for their hard work, more than made by other bus drivers.

But one of the busway drivers said the promised Rp 2 million (US$235) a month salary was less than what he earned driving his previous route.

"If I don't get more money, I'd just prefer to return to my old job," he said.

Four other drivers interviewed by The Jakarta Post said they didn't know what their salaries would be.

Another driver even requested the media to ask Sutiyoso what the drivers' would be paid.

The governor also warned the drivers to be careful while passing critical points such as intersections along the corridor, which will connect Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta.

Underlining the importance of the project "as the gate to the macroscopic design of the city's transportation infrastructure", Sutiyoso revealed his office would construct another 13 busway corridors.

He said that everything was on schedule for next Thursday's busway opening, with all the necessary preparations near completion.

However, the Post observed on Monday that several busway shelters were built some distance from where commuters normally get off from the bus.

Commuters who get off at the Ratu Plaza bus shelter, for instance, will have to walk about 100 meters -- plus the length of the shelter's pedestrian bridge -- to the nearest traffic intersection.

"Come to think of it, it will be quite a long walk if I decide to get off at Ratu Plaza and then take a regular bus or a taxi to continue my trip outside the corridor," said Suherman, 30, who lives in Simprug, South Jakarta.

Similarly, busway passengers who get off at the busway shelter near the Japanese Embassy will have to walk some distance to reach the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.