'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