'Worsening traffic jams caused by busway project'

The city administration will soon extend the three-in-one traffic policy along the full length of the busway from Blok M in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta from 6:30 a.m. through 8 p.m. to support the much vaunted busway project. Many observers have criticized the project because they say it will actually worsen traffic congestion. The Jakarta Post talked to some people about the new policy.

Engkus, 38, is employed by a private sector telecommunications company. He lives with his family in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta:

I don't mind the extension of the three-in-one policy as I always have at least two colleagues who come to work with me.

I just wonder if the busway project will really ease traffic congestion. From what I can see at the moment, its actually making things worse. It used to take me about 15 minutes to drive from the Semanggi cloverleaf to my office but now its taking me about 30 minutes.

Given this, the busway appears to be just another money- wasting project.

I lived in Singapore for two years, so I know that the traffic regulations there work well, mainly because of fair law enforcement and public discipline. So, a well-managed traffic system is all about people's mentalities.

Sulaiman Ismaya, 64, is a retired teacher now working for the school accreditation agency with the Ministry of National Education. He lives with his wife and two children in West Jakarta:

The chaotic traffic situation here is in desperate need of a comprehensive solution that involves concerted efforts by all of the relevant institutions and not just the city administration alone.

The extended three-in-one traffic policy, however, is only a small part of what is needed to ease our traffic woes.

However, if the administration insists on implementing the new policy, we will need honest police officers to monitor implementation.

-- The Jakarta Post