It has always been a love rollercoaster for Transjakarta and Jakarta residents for the past few years.
Launched by former governor Sutiyoso in 2004, many believed it would just create another traffic issue.
During the construction of the first lane from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta, people questioned every tiny detail on the project, including why the lanes were on the right.
But with time, people began seeing them as convenient public vehicles. Every shelter of Transjakarta looked so fabulous and fancy, equipped with 42-inch LCD TVs and well-managed.
I used to think how modern and sophisticated Jakarta was at that time. For the first time I was proud of Indonesia.
It took less than five years, however, until the heartthrob of the city's traffic has become the punch bag of people frustrated with the congestion that has not lessened ever since.
Moreover, the buses' facilities have been deteriorating. The worst, security is no longer available on buses. Many pickpockets and sexual harassment cases occur on the buses.
Once a fellow woman passenger cried while she told me her expensive and cellular phone was just stolen, and I reported this to one of the officers there.
Do you want to know his reaction? He did not give one. He just stared at me and did nothing.
A shortage of buses is another major problem, you sometimes stand for more than twenty minutes in the line.
The field officers have decreased in number as well as services, in the past there were always two officers standing by each door, now there is only one. They usually monitor passengers, now they do not care.
When a bus opens at a shelter, the officers do not tell passengers to queue, so everybody rushes to find seats.
Drivers send text messages while driving. Another time, I saw a motorcyclist was in a rush and crossed to another lane.
The driver of my Transjakarta bus braked causing passengers to panic but he continued sending messages.
Recently news stated, "man killed in busway accident on Jl. Kwitang in Senen, Central Jakarta".
The man was a motorcyclist who used the Transjakarta lane. This incident was caused by reckless behavior of motorcyclist.
However, as long as there are careless bus drivers, we cannot expect that such an incident is only the responsibility of motorcylists.
Transjakarta is the rapid transit bus used by many people who want security, safety and time flexibility. This bus is also useful to minimize gridlock and has become an alternative transportation mode for the middle and upper classes.
If the bus service also disappoints residents, then the administration really has nothing to be proud of when it comes to public transportation.
Analysts predicted in 2014 that Jakarta will face total gridlock. With Jakarta's roads at only 4.5 million meters in length, it is impossible for them to carry more than 10 millions motor vehicles.
If well maintained and improved, Transjakarta may become one of the best transportation alternatives.
Apparently, Transjakarta management will raise the fee. But no one will complain if the service is satisfying.
- Mathilda Silalahi
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