Transjakarta to stop early on Idul Fitri eve

The Transjakarta Management Body (BLU) announced that the bus rapid transit system in the city would truncate its operating hours on Idul Fitri eve, which is expected to fall on Saturday evening. The buses will only operate until 6:30 p.m instead of the usual 11 p.m.

BLU public relations officer Sri Ulina Pinem said on Saturday that the buses would stop operations earlier to anticipate the potential traffic congestion that usually occurs on Idul Fitri eve.

“Based on our experience, usually the city’s thoroughfares will be very crowded and congested because many residents participate in ‘takbiran’ [road convoys],” Sri said as quoted by kompas.com.

Although the Transjakarta buses have their own special lanes, they are still disrupted by traffic congestion caused by the convoys.

“Often times, we receive many complaints on Idul Fitri eve because buses arrive late at Transjakarta busway shelters,” Sri said.

According to data from the body, busway lanes that are often disrupted by the convoys are those around the National Monument (Monas), Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, City Hall and Tugu Tani monument in Central Jakarta, Matraman and Kramat Jati in East Jakarta, and Pademangan in North Jakarta. (riz/swd)