By: Dede August *)
Jakarta, CIDISS – After doing a closed meeting with some of his staff at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo asked meeting of development Light Rail Transit (LRT) Jabodetabek to be stopped. It is done because he felt the meeting LRT construction is already too much so that the LRT development can be accelerated, especially for Jakarta. “This is the fifth meeting of the LRT. Do not have an extra meeting again. Should have completed all afternoon,” said Jokowi, President of Indonesia.
LRT construction is not an easy process because it has passed` a long and difficult road since it was planned. One is the route LRT plan that will pass Kelapa Gading – Pegangsaan – Kebayoran Lama turning cut nine Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. Thus, the LRT was changed, namely only until Pulomas, but it is considered too short. Other problems is the doubts of PT. Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) which is designated from the start to build this project. This condition is also worsened by the withdrawal of a number of officers and directors of PT. Jakpro ahead of the construction on LRT project. Finally, Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Cahya Purnama will do the groundbreaking in April or May 2016. “The point is this year if (it is) possible groundbreaking will be done in April or in May,” said the man who always called as Ahok.
Traffics jams occurred in the Greater Jakarta area is one reason for the construction of the LRT. Besides that, the traffic jams has resulted many losses for the country. President Joko Widodo also said that each year, Indonesia suffered a loss of IDR 28 trillion due to congestion. In fact, in Bandung to Jakarta plus IDR 7 trillion every year due to traffic congestion. The amount of the financial potential which is missing give a huge impact on this country.
So, with the LRT, the expected money losses which have occurred for som this year can be minimized. In addition, the LRT will also save on fuel consumption that have been wasted during a jam if citizens who use private vehicles to switch to public transport especially LRT. According to Director of PT Adhi Karya III, Joko Prabowo, the construction of the LRT will save the fuel consumption up to IDR 1.7 trillion. This assumption is expected when most people Jabodetabek switch from mode of personal transportation and use LRT as the primary choice of transport.
So, it is clear that Indonesia will get a huge benefit with the LRT construction. The budget of IDR 28 trillion wasted in traffic jam situations can be maximized for the benefit for more useful programs. However, it will not mean anything if people do not give their support. So what kind of support that we can do? Easy, just use the LRT when its construction finish is one kind of support to the government plan. So, let’s support the construction of the LRT and leave your personal vehicle at home! Let’s switch to public transport! [DA]
*) CIDISS Contributor