Get Out of the Car, and Then What?

Soaring petrol price has sent people out of their cars into buses, trains, trams, monorails, and other means of public transportation to minimize expenses. The number of passengers using mass transport have started to increase significantly since the beginning of the oil crisis. At least, that's what happens in other parts of the world.

Back in Jakarta, the above paragraph seems irrelevant. Despite exorbitant petrol price, the number of cars clogging our streets steadily increases everyday. The glorious TransJakarta project doesn't seem to have any power in attracting enough people off their cars and into the flashy yellow-orange and the gloomy grey buses. Traffic jam is still a common view in the capital, which means that people burn up expensive fuel to get nowhere.

Let's assume the role of a concerned citizen of Jakarta. We want to reduce fossil fuel consumption, and therefore reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we release to the atmosphere. We want to halt global warming and we want to save money. Well, mostly the latter. To do so, mass transport is the best way to go. What options do we have?

First, we have a public bus system that everybody loves to hate. If you're in Jakarta, obviously you must have seen orange Metro Minis, white-with-green-stripe Kopajas, or at least their thick black exhaust smoke. These buses with their numerous routes reach every corner of the big city, however remote it is. Unfortunately, the buses are as crappy as their routes are extensive. It wouldn't be too exaggerated -although it is harsh- to compare it with cans on wheels. Additionally, the drivers have gained a notorious reputation as annoying and obnoxious.

If I can help it, I'll avoid riding them. And Thank God, I can help it. The last time I rode a Metro Mini is no less than eight years ago.

Next, we have the commuter train, which I don't really know about. From what I've seen, its quality is not that better than the buses. The trains themselves are in poor condition. In rush hours, the train cars are packed like a crate of fish, probably the smell too. People can ride wherever they want to, including the train roof and hanging on the doors. Definitely not what you call comfortable and efficient.

Along came TransJakarta. Even though it's not as good as most of us expected, I'll say that at least it is the most humane mass transport in the city. The mission to provide a modern, comfortable transportation for Jakartans is very noble indeed. However, a lot needs to be done to make it what it's supposed to be. The bus stops need to be revamped because in its present condition, it resembles more of a sauna than a bus stop. We also need a constant scheduling, so that it is clear when the buses will ever come. Well, most importantly is that the system needs an adequate number of buses to serve all the lines effectively and efficiently, plus it needs an extensive feeder system to extend its reach.

During the years, TransJakarta has won the hearts of citizens. However, many of those hearts belong to former conventional bus users, who would obviously choose TransJakarta over Metro Mini or Kopaja. Car users are still hesitating to switch with lots of logical reasons like comfort and convenience. No one can force them to switch, so it is the TransJakarta that has to attract them.

If the government is serious in combatting traffic jams and global warming, they must do a thorough review of the current transportation system. A major overhaul on the existing bus system, especially the Metro Mini and Kopaja, is not to be delayed. With such a wide range, they actually have the potential to serve the public. They only need to upgrade into an acceptable level of comfort and efficiency. The case is mostly the same with trains.

When the city's mass transport is sorted out, there's no doubt that people will happily leave their gas guzzlers at home and ride together. This will certainly alleviate Jakarta's chronic traffic problems and people will be able to reduce expenses on fuel. After all, it is time that such a big and modern city like Jakarta has a suitable mass transport system.