Jakarta needs Metro to avoid traffic gridlock

After reading the Economist magazine September 2010 issue, I realized that Jakarta had a new call: the largest city in the world without a metro. The Economist reported that the car ownerships in Jakarta have increased by 10-15 percent a year. Motorcycles are ubiquitous and can be acquired with a down payment of as little as $30. On the other hand, the growth rate of Jakarta’s road is less than 1 percent a year. The daily jams in Jakarta are getting worse. Jakarta is estimated to lose $3 billion a year due to transport delays and attain total traffic gridlock in 2014.

Metrominis used the busway lane in Jalan Urip Sumohardjo, Jatinegara, Jakarta

The acute traffic congestion in Jakarta has also prompted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to revisit the idea of capital relocation out of Jakarta. Relocating the capital out of Jakarta could reduce urbanization and the rate of car ownership in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, but it will not completely address the traffic congestion in Jakarta. Jakarta needs a fundamental change in the management of public transportation. The current public transportations have not been able to alleviate the acute traffic congestion in Jakarta. Jakarta now needs the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) or also popularly known as Metro to address its transportation problem.

Most metropolitan areas in the world with the population of over 10 millions have operated metros for years. New York City opened the first underground line of the subway in 1904 and the subway has been the backbone of New York City transportation system since then. Two major cities in Japan, Tokyo and Osaka built their metros in 1927 and 1933 respectively. The Tokyo Metro is the world’s most extensive rapid transit system with more than eight million passengers daily. The second largest city in the world, Mexico City, has built a metro since 1969 and now the Mexico City Metro is the second largest metro system in North America after the New York City subway. Two major cities in China, Beijing and Shanghai opened their metro systems in 1971 and 1995 respectively. Major cities in Southeast Asia which have fewer population than Jakarta have also had their metro systems for years, including Manila (1984), Singapore (1987), Kuala Lumpur (1995) and Bangkok (2004) (Wikipedia, 19 October 2010).

The MRT would become the most expensive public projects in Jakarta’s history, but it is the answer to avoid the total traffic gridlock in Jakarta. For at least 20 years, the proposal of MRT in Jakarta has been discussed by the Jakarta city administration and the government of Indonesia. The activists and non-governmental watchdogs have seen the MRT proposal as a possible bonanza for corrupt politicians and contractors (Economist, 4 February 2010).

Acute traffic jams in Jakarta

Eventually, the government secured a $1.6 billion loan agreement with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2009 for funding the Jakarta's MRT project. Vice President Boediono has also asked the JICA to expedite the design and construction of MRT project to alleviate the traffic congestion in Jakarta. The final project designed was expected to be completed in 2011. The first tract of the MRT project was expected to connect the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and Kota in 2016 (The Jakarta Post, 20 October 2010).

I would suggest two fundamental steps for the Jakarta city administration in order to effectively address the acute transportation problem in Jakarta. First, integrate the MRT project with the current public transportation modes including including the Transjakarta Busway, Metromini, Kopaja, Angkot, City Bus, and Mikrolet. The reliability, accessibility and affordability of the public transportation system should be improved for all levels of Jakarta residents. The development of public transportation system should also consider the needs of residents in the Jakarta’s hinterlands including Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok and Bogor.

Second, convert car riders and motorcyclists into public transport riders/MRT riders. This would be the critical key for the Jakarta's success in overcoming the traffic congestion. Without the conversion of car riders and motorcyclists into public transport riders/MRT riders, the traffic congestion in Jakarta would never be resolved and the MRT project would be an ineffective investment.

Metro in Montreal

The conversion of car riders and motorcyclists into public transport/MRT riders is not an easy thing to accomplish. A careful and comprehensive planning that involves various stakeholders is needed. The Jakarta city administration also needs to learn from the experience of the Transjakarta Busway operation particularly on how to effectively convert car riders into the Transjakarta Busway riders. Last but not least, the inconvenience of car riders and motorcyclists due to the acute traffic congestion in Jakarta could be considered as a great asset for converting them into public transport/MRT riders. The public transport and MRT system should offer reliable, accessible, punctual, comfortable, safe and affordable transportation modes in order for car riders and motorcyclists to leave their vehicles and ride public transport and/or MRT as their primary transportation modes.

(This article also appeared at The Jakarta Post on October 24, 2010)