Tanah Abang no longer attractive: Vendors
Tanah Abang no longer attractive: Vendors
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Lack of access and the absence of parking lots in the Tanah Abang textile market in Central Jakarta have driven away customers, making business in the market less lucrative than it used to be.
The ongoing reconstruction project, carried out by city-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya, has closed substantial road access to the textile market, traders complained.
"Vehicles can only enter the market through Jl. KH Mas Mansyur on the East side. Previously, it was able to be accessed from Jati Baru in the North and Jl. Kebon Jati in the South," a trader, who declined to be named, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
With vendors occupying the sidewalks and public minivans stopping along Jl. Kebon Jati, vehicles are having difficulty reaching the market.
A five-story parking lot has been demolished and turned it into kiosks that will be leased soon.
"My customers say they have no choice but to park their vehicles on the street but it's very costly," the vendor said, adding that motorists have to pay Rp 20,000 (US$2.4) a day.
PD Pasar Jaya has appointed developer PT Priamanaya Djan International to renovate the market at Rp 600 billion. The reconstruction will go on for 16 months while the groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. to be officiated by Governor Sutiyoso.
Another trader, Hendra, said that PD Pasar Jaya had actually allocated a vacant plot of land on Jl. Kebon Kacang, around 500 meters from the market for parking, but many of his customers have complained that it was too far.
"The customers have to use porters to carry their goods, meaning more expenditure," he said.
Many vendors, whose kiosks at the market were razed by fire on Feb. 19, have started to set up makeshift tents at the entrances of the market.
Such a chaotic situation has driven away customers.
"Fewer buyers are coming to Tanah Abang. Now, they prefer to shop at trade centers that have been mushrooming all over the city," another trader, Kartika, told the Post, adding that the trade centers offer air-conditioned areas and food courts that could entice buyers.
With less potential customers coming to Tanah Abang, traders are experiencing a severe blow to their daily income.
"My daily revenue has dropped to almost 50 percent after the reconstruction project started because many customers no longer show up," Hendra said.
He said that if PD Pasar Jaya did nothing to improve conditions, the livelihood of the traders would be put at risk.
"Tanah Abang market has only been thriving in the past 10 years and we don't want to see it last only for that period," he said in dismay.