The recently issued presidential decree on spatial planning in the capital and surrounding areas allows for the development of other modes of mass transit, an expert says, to provide millions of commuters with more options.

Bambang Susantono of the Indonesian Transportation Society on Sunday told The Jakarta Post the decree "would allow the monorail, mass rapid transit (MRT) system and busway networks to expand into surrounding cities".

Bambang added that, "the administrations could share the costs of the expansion."

Until now, Jakarta administration has only been able to develop transportation systems within its administrative territory, even though each day the capital sees millions of commuters from neighboring cities.

Such commuters have so far relied on trains (the services of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api), private vehicles and public buses traversing toll roads.

The decree, issued Aug. 12, 2008 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, sets new regulations for spatial planning in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Puncak and Cianjur (Jabodetabekpunjur).

Bambang said the decree could serve as the legal basis for the Jabodetabek transportation master plan which was already being discussed.

"The discussions will cover a revision of the 2004 integrated transportation master plan (SITRAMP). The revision, made possible by JICA, will add transportation elements not previously included, such as the busway and monorail."

The revised master plan, Bambang added, would be signed by all heads of administrations concerned, such as the regents of Tangerang and Bekasi.

Article 15 of the new decree sets out laws for the development of mass transit systems to connect Jakarta and surrounding areas.

It also stipulates that the administrations should improve the railway network in certain areas to serve commuters better.

Bambang said the administration should focus on commuter train services connecting with the inner city transport system, such as the busway.

He said the railway network expansion was possible under the amended Railway Law -- which stipulates that private and local administrations could develop the railway network.

"The decree will push neighboring regions to develop bus feeder systems and train stations for commuters," he said.

Bambang cited the case of residential developers in Bintaro and Serpong who planned to construct a railway link to Jakarta. The train would stop at Dukuh Atas station. The developers also planned a shuttle bus service to take passengers from the station to Sudirman and Mega Kuningan (both in the central business district).

Besides regulating transportation, it also sets out regulations for water supply, sewage, flood controls, garbage management, telecommunication networks and electricity.

The decree also has a provision for conservation areas in Jabodetabekpunjur.

The new decree will be valid for 20 years and will be assessed every five years.

Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said his administration was taking inspiration from neighboring administrations.

"It will take some time before this is fully implemented. I'm glad the decree has finally been issued. I hope we can implement it consistently," he said.

A similar response was heard from Deputy Governor Prijanto who said the new regulations would unite development in Jakarta and its greater areas, including the revitalization of Ciawi dam to provide clean water as well as flood controls.

"I hadn't heard about the issuance of the decree. For me, it's a good sign to start working together with adjacent regions, especially in spatial planning," he said.

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