2 posts tagged “traffic”

I will not complain about Jakarta's busway strategy. It's a patchwork solution, of course, but at least it is a solution. Will it works great in the future, we just have to see.

What I am about to write is the irony about it. At first glance, busway seems like a revolutionary way to solve the traffic's problem in Jakarta. But actually, nothing new about it. Let see what are the things busway "introduced":

1. Special Bus Lane
   Nothing new about it. Before the busway, the most left lane is always be the public transportation lane. So, yes, the system is already exists.
2. The bus can not pass another bus
   Nothing new. The bus always had the sign "Bus is not allowed to pass another bus". Well, it's just a sign, nobody follow that rule.
3. The bus can only stop and be stopped at the specific bus stop
   Nothing new also. Of course the bus HAS to stop at the bus stop. We were told this all the time. Again, nobody seems to follow that rule.

So, actually nothing new, eh? The irony is those rules had to be forced by using the busway system because nobody seems to follow those obvious rules of conduct.

This is what bothers me a lot. Are Indonesian had to be forced to obey the rules? Are we that primitives that we need the carrots and sticks method just to obey the rules? I guess we are and that fact make me sad.

Note: This idea is the result of a late night discussion with Amal, thank you!
Update: Amal is also writing about the same thing (in Indonesian).

After almost a year being back in Jakarrta, I still couldn't overcome the traffic. It's so bad, well, really bad it almost make me, well again - not almost but already did it couple of times, scream in frustration.

For a start, I am not fond of driving. I enjoy public transportation because there are many things I can do inside public transportation - like reading a book, playing PSP or just listening to iPod. Of course I enjoy driving sometime as long as the traffic is bearable - little traffic jam is okay, major traffic jam is a big no no.

The problem with Jakarta is the public transportation sucks. Period. Of course we have Transjakarta - the magical busway which the local government thought it will solve our traffic problem - well, in some way it did but it's like a patch solution to a really chronic problem. Imagine fixing a broken bone with a Band Aid - that is what our local government did. The Monorail is on the way - way too late - but I have good hope for that - hopefully.

Motorcycle. Jakarta's motorcyclist must die. Well, most of them. I hate them. They are the little devil minions ready to swallow you (and your car) and suck it into the deep fiery hell of confusion, frustration and mental disorder. They ignored all traffic rules. Well, most driver (cars and motorcyle) in Indonesia are ignoring the rules... correction: they probably just don't know the rules to begin with. But once they sit on those tiny motorcycle, they are thinking that they could do anything they want. Including using the pedestarian, stop at the crossing lane in the traffic light, violate traffic light when they saw no incoming traffic, move against the lane - which is really really dangerous and the my most favorite act: driving at night, without light. Well, I know most Jakarta's people have some kind of deathwish but please, don't involve other people on that.

It's a jungle in the street of Jakarta. It will bring the beast out of everyone. And more beasts is not what this country needs.