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Ahok to lower bus fares to attract Transjakarta passengers
Passengers ride on a Transjakarta bus past the Harmoni bus stop in Central Jakarta on Dec
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span class="caption">Passengers ride on a Transjakarta bus past the Harmoni bus stop in Central Jakarta on Dec. 31. Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama aims to expand the service network of Transjakarta to the Greater Jakarta area of the capital and to charge cheaper fares in a bid to attract more people to choose public transportation over private vehicles. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has said that the city will expand PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta)'s network to Greater Jakarta Area to offer affordable transportation to all.
Ahok said on Monday that lower bus fares would attract more passengers. "I do not want to provide subsidies for citizens so that they can buy motorcycles, fuel or pay for parking. I want to offer lower bus fares. If going from Tangerang to Jakarta only costs Rp. 3,500, would you ride a motorcycle or a bus? Definitely bus," he told journalists at City Hall on Monday.
The city administration lowered feeder bus fares to Rp 3,500 from Rp 6,000 on Monday.
Ahok said the same fare would be imposed for Transjakarta buses serving Greater Area later this year.
The city administration aims to expand the bus network to replace the integrated bus network (APTB) that currently serves the outer area of Jakarta.
"I hope this year all of the non-busway routes will be controlled by Transjakarta," he said.
Ahok also urged all bus operators to join Transjakarta with the rupiah per kilometer scheme to provide better transportation to all. A fare of Rp.3,500 would be applied for all services.
The low price was expected to attract commuters from Tangerang, Bekasi and Depok to the service, he said.
"They will face bankruptcy for they will not be able to compete with the low fares offered by Transjakarta," he said.
The city will pay the operator in accordance with the distance. The scheme is also believed to help manage the operations of buses as drivers will no longer need to meet a minimum daily deposit. Buses will only stop at designated bus stops, helping to ease the traffic. (rin)
