T

he integrated bus network (APTB) will soon no longer operate in Jakarta following a disagreement between the Transportation Agency and operators regarding the use of the Transjakarta dedicated lanes and compensation.

Previously, APTB operators had agreed to operate under PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) and apply the same standard operational procedure. In return, Transjakarta would pay the operators a certain amount of money per kilometer.

'€œHowever, after further study, officials at the Transportation Agency believe that there is no need to pay the operators per kilometer because it is already a privilege for the APTB buses to use Transjakarta lanes,'€ Transportation Agency land transportation division head Emanuel Kristanto said on Tuesday.

He said the agency had offered two options. First, the APTB operators can use the dedicated Transjakarta lanes when entering Jakarta from satellite cities, but they should adhere to Transjakarta'€™s minimum standards and services without getting compensation per kilometer from the city administration.

The second option only allows APTB operators to travel to Transjakarta bus stops located on the outskirts of Jakarta, which required passengers to continue their journeys on Transjakarta buses.

'€œThey have chosen the second option. Therefore APTB buses will no longer travel into Jakarta. For example, APTB buses from Bekasi and Bogor [in West Java] may only travel until Cawang bus stop in East Jakarta,'€ Emanuel said.

He went on to say that the Transportation Agency and APTB bus operators were currently discussing measures that could be taken to prevent traffic congestion and the buildup of passengers at bus stops, as well as new APTB bus fares.

Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) Jakarta chapter head Shafruhan Sinungan said APTB operators expected the city to come up with a new option for the sake of business health and passenger service.

'€œThe first option means we can neither charge passengers [along Transjakarta shelters] nor receive any money from the city administration. Where will we get money for maintenance and gas?'€ Shafruhan said over the phone on Tuesday.

He went on to say that Organda had submitted a complaint letter to the Transportation Agency and governor.

There are currently six APTB bus operators: Perum PPD, PT Bianglala Metropolitan, PT Mayasari Bakti, PT Sinar Jaya Megah Langgeng, PT Hiba Utama and PT Agra Mas. There are 183 APTB buses operating on 17 intercity routes, traveling to Jakarta from neighboring areas, such as Bekasi, Bogor and Cikarang, Ciputat and Poris Plawad in Tangerang.

Cornea Khairany, who usually rides an APTB bus from East Bekasi to her office in Central Jakarta, said it would be inconvenient to transit at a bus shelter in the middle of her journey.

'€œI would have to get off in Cawang and board another bus. I'€™m worried that there will be a buildup of passengers in Cawang. I hope an agreement can be reached between the city and bus operators,'€ Khairany said.