Upholding Justice for Those Who Depend on Public Transportation

Arranging the station is not just the physical building and ensuring comfort in the inner area, but also the management of the surrounding area.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The density of Commuterline KRL passengers from Tanah Abang Station to Serpong Station, South Tangerang, during work hours, Wednesday (14/4/2021). KRL is one of the main choices for urbanites for mobility.

Passengers of commuters trains took turns exiting as soon as the train doors opened upon arriving at Tanah Abang Station, Central Jakarta, Monday (19/4/2021) morning. They obediently stood in line, trying to maintain a safe distance, without hassle.

Wiryoko, 30, a resident of Klender, East Jakarta, who was going to Jati Baru area, Tanah Abang, was astonished for a moment. "Tanah Abang has changed like this, huh? I was confused when I wanted to get out after almost a year of not getting on the KRL. Good, right," he said.

When he stepped out of the station, there was a noisy moment where base ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers shouted from the pedestrian area alternately with the bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) and other city transportation drivers, such as angkot (public minivan) drivers, offering their services.

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Such a scene is common at the four stations. Passengers are more comfortable inside the stations. As soon as they get out of the stations, they have to change transportation modes by taking the Transjakarta bus, ojek, or angkot, all have their own places and routes.

For Widodo Jumantri, 51, a base motorcycle taxi driver, this arrangement is a relief. Prior to the arrangement, base motorcycle taxi drivers and online motorcycle taxi drivers often fought for passengers.

"Now, after the arrangement, there are no disputes. They understand each other because the system is fair. It is safe, smooth, no traffic jam. It will be embarrassing if we continue to fight," he said.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A long queue of prospective KRL passengers heading to the entrance of Bogor Station, Bogor City, West Java, Tuesday (20/4/2021). The density of KRL passengers is due to the same applied working hours during the fasting month, namely 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The bus fleet deployed to reduce the number of passengers has not been able to reduce the long queues of prospective passengers at Bogor Station.

For M Rofiq, 45, a base motorcycle taxi driver at Tanah Abang Station, passengers are like kings. "We have agreed with the station manager. Base motorcycle taxis are pooled near the Transjakarta bus stop, while online motorcycle taxis are at the end. It is up to the passengers which transportation they want to take,” said the father of three children.

At Jakarta Kota Station, West Jakarta, the bajaj drivers are asked to wait for passengers in a parking lot located east of the station. Meanwhile, angkot drivers are only allowed to quickly pick-up passengers in front of the station.

Before the arrangement, the view outside the station gate was like a sea of public transportation where public transportations vehicles indiscriminately, thereby making the Kota Tua area synonymous with endless traffic jams.

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Nur Edi, 64, a bajaj driver, explained that he and other colleagues were forced to move to wait for passengers from the front area of the station to the parking lot. They are now creating a queue system. One bajaj waits for passengers at the station\'s front gate, while the other driver waits in the parking lot. They have to pay Rp 10,000 per day for parking. Even though it is burdensome, there is clarity in the system.

He hopes the government or station managers will continue to find long-term solutions for bajaj drivers so that they can follow the regulations in an orderly manner without having to pay parking fees.

Different from the public transportation drivers, traders also have their own story. At Tanah Abang Station, street vendors still play cat-and-mouse with the civil service police in charge of guarding the station area.

In Tebet, South Jakarta, after the Tebet Station arrangement project began, Dulloh had to move his satay stall away from the exit. This caused his income decrease by Rp 50,000 per day.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Food carts of street vendors line up in front of Gondangdia Station, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (17/3/2021). Gondangdia Station is organized into an integrated transportation area together with four other stations in Jakarta. In addition to pedestrian lanes and plazas, a waiting area will also be provided for online and base motorcycle taxis, taxis, bajaj and arrangements for street vendors.

Embracing all

Damantoro, the chairperson of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) of Jakarta, said that regarding justice for all business actors around the station, it is the main task of PT Moda Integrasi Transportasi Jabodetabek (MITJ), a business entity specially formed to manage intermodal integration. "Managing the station area is of course not just cosmetic," he explained.

Indeed, now the Jakarta Provincial Government is also developing the Jaklingko transportation system with city transportation, small buses, medium buses, and articulated buses, as well as the MRT and LRT. Later, the schedule, rates and tickets will be integrated.

Can the Jaklingko system completely replace that mode of transportation?

"However, apart from that, there are motorcycle taxis and bajaj that are still operating. Can the Jaklingko system completely replace that mode of transportation?" he said.

Moreover, in terms of the characteristics of the Jakarta area, there are still many areas that can only be reached by motorcycle taxis or bajaj. Damantoro also encouraged motorcycle taxis and bajaj to be included in infrastructure planning and intermodal integration management operating system procedures.

In addition, there should still be a special place for small traders around the station. By conducting this, all groups can enjoy the fruits of a just arrangement.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.