T

he city's water taxis, or waterways, were launched by governor Sutiyoso in June 2007, four months before his second term ended.

Sutiyoso said the waterway was expected to be another way to solve severe transportation problems in the city, despite the public's criticism concerning the feasibility of the project.

For the pilot project, the city administration operated only two boats, with a maximum capacity of 28 persons, in a 1.7-kilometer-section of Ciliwung River, serving passengers through three piers, in Halimun, Dukuh Atas and Karet, all in Central Jakarta.

The route was chosen for the pilot project because there was a business center and office buildings in the area.

If the project runs well, the administration planned to operate the waterways along the existing 17-kilometer West Flood Canal and currently under-construction 23-kilometer East Flood Canal.

The 200-billion-rupiah facility, however, is no longer in operation after the few first failed trips. It was reported the trips were halted among others by garbage stuck in the boat machines.

Currently, passersby can only see empty and deteriorating piers, standing by the piles of garbage floating in the darkened river.

The head of city's transportation agency, M. Tauchid, said recently the waterway was no longer operating the facility due to the lack of feasibility in developing it.