'We have to take a longer route'
'We have to take a longer route'
The city administration's plan to extend and expand the three-in- one traffic policy along the busway corridor from Blok M in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta from 6:30 a.m. through 8 p.m. has sparked an uproar. The Jakarta Post asked some people what they thought of the new policy, the tryout of which was planned for Monday, but has since been delayed.
Ola Wiranata, 50, is a housewife. She lives with her husband and daughter in Bintaro, South Jakarta. She drives to Menteng, Central Jakarta several times a week:
I think the longer three-in-one policy will only cause more trouble, much more compared to the current 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. policy.
Why should we prioritize the need of those in the business district for a traffic-free highway? It's not fair. I have to take a detour through Pejompongan and other roads to get to Menteng. But many other motorists take the same route, so the traffic on alternative roads is always heavy.
The three-in-one policy is not an effective way to resolve the city transportation problems. Actually, when the policy was introduced in 1993, most people turned to taxis and public buses. But then there were these joki (people who are paid to be passengers) and the traffic became heavy again.
I feel a pinch of shame when I use joki, as I feel like I'm cheating the law. But I have no other choice.
Lies Susanti, 27, works at a private company in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. She lives with her husband near the office, but she often visits her parents in Kota, West Jakarta, on public buses:
I don't have problems with the three-in-one policy. So far, the busway is OK because I usually take air-conditioned buses to Kota. I have read in the newspapers that the price of a busway ticket is cheaper than the air-conditioned bus.
I have followed the debate on the busway, particularly the fear of worsening traffic congestion along the route.
One lane has been taken up by the busway while the administration has yet to provide comfortable public transportation connecting the busway route to my house, for example, and to other areas.
I am pessimistic that the busway will be successful, but we'll see.
-- The Jakarta Post