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Lack of land availability hampers plan to organize app-based 'ojek' drivers in Tanah Abang
Officials have conceded that one of the causes of traffic disruption in the area is the presence of app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) and is working on a system to organize them and ease congestion.
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App-based motorcycle taxi drivers wait on the side road of Jl. Jati Baru Raya in Central Jakarta in this file photo. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he Tanah Abang textile market in Central Jakarta has always been busy, both inside its buildings where the trading takes place and outside on the streets where vehicles, pedestrians and street vendors compete for space.
Residents can easily point out that one of the most crowded spots in the area is near the Tanah Abang railway station, located next to the market; passengers getting on and off the train, angkot (public minivans) drivers stop their vehicles to pick up commuters and, of course, drivers of ride-hailing applications waiting for passengers.
As a regular commuter from South Tangerang in Banten to Jakarta, Desiana sees herself as having an ongoing love-hate relationship with the two-wheeled vehicles swarming Tanah Abang.
Dozens of drivers of ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab regularly throng Jl. Jatibaru Bengkel, Jl. Taman Jatibaru Barat, Jl. Taman Jatibaru Timur and Jl. Jatibaru Raya, all situated in the vicinity of Tanah Abang Station.
A flock of motorcyclists in the latter location, surrounding the Jatibaru bus stop, often causes traffic congestion as they occupy nearly half of the road during peak hours.
“I need them, but regrettably, even when I walk to the pick-up point, there are so many of them blocking the road. Nudging past motorbikes is regular for me,” the 32-year-old told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, referring to Jl. Taman Jatibaru Barat.
The swarming vehicles in Tanah Abang have also been a concern for the Jakarta administration. Officials have conceded that one of the causes of traffic disruption in the area is the presence of app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) and is working on a system to organize them and ease congestion.
