Despite commuters’ tepid response during its two-week trial run, the transportation agency will go ahead with its plan to start operating premium buses from Mega City mall in Bekasi to Plaza Senayan shopping mall in South Jakarta next week.

The premium Transjabodetabek bus service targets middle-high income workers in Bekasi who are willing to leave their cars at home and switch to the public transportation mode.

As of Sept. 7, the Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ), had run trial operations for three premium 30-seater buses. However, only 20 percent of the seats are filled during morning rush hour, while the load factor increased to 60 percent during afternoon rush hour.

“It’s difficult for people to go from enjoying the comfort of their own cars to taking public buses. But we’re determined to go ahead with the plan in the hope that people change their mind,” BPTJ chairman Bambang Prihartono said on Tuesday.

A survey by the Jakarta Central Statistics Agency revealed in 2015 that 1.38 million people traveled from the outskirts of Jakarta to the capital every day. However only around 20 percent of them use public transportation.

The nonexistence of reliable public transportation was among reasons cited by people for opting to use private vehicles.

The introduction of the premium buses is part of the city administration’s effort to ease traffic congestion, especially during rush hour. Critics say that the Rp 20,000 (US$1.5) one-way ticket is too expensive for most people.

Unlike Transjabodetabek regular buses, the premium buses offer amenities such as security cameras, battery charger plug-ins and reclining seats. All passengers are also entitled to a seat. For shorter travel time, the buses do not stop at many shelters. They pick up passengers at the Mega City mall, taking toll roads and drop them off at Plaza Senayan shopping mall, before stopping at the Polda Metro bus
shelter.

“It cuts the trip time from usually around two hours to only one hour. Even on a typical Monday morning, it only takes about one hour and 20 minutes,” Bambang claimed.

The premium buses will only be available from 5:45 a.m. to 6:25 a.m. and from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Dewi Anggrainy, a 35-year-old Bekasi resident working at a private company on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta, is interested in giving it a try.

“I stopped using the regular Transjabodetabek bus in 2015 because it’s so inconvenient. This time I should try. I’m tired of driving by myself due to the congestion,” she said, adding that she did not have a problem with the fare.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi praised the introduction of the premium buses as a solution to the city’s heavy traffic.

“However, some efficiency problems remain. Most potential passengers don’t live near the Mega City mall; many of them live in the Jababeka [industrial area in Bekasi], so they still need to go by car or bike to the bus station,” he told reporters before trying the premium bus at Mega City mall.

Budi suggested that the premium buses pass through residential areas to solve the problem. He also advised that the BPTJ cooperate with private business entities to make the scheme a success.

The agency has already mulled a plan to operate premium buses in residential areas in Bekasi, including Jababeka, in the future.

“We aim to have another 60 premium buses by 2019, which will serve strategic places in Bekasi and business areas in Jakarta. The service is necessary because our roads are crammed with cars,” Bambang said. (yon)

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