Central Government Builds IDR 1.9 Trillion BRT in Medan, Local Government Asked to Support Mass Transportation

The regional government is asked to support the Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang BRT project, with policies that favor mass transportation, not a program that favors private vehicles. The Ministry of Transportation will start construction of the Mebesar BRT in 2024.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Pemerintah Pusat Bangun BRT Rp 1,9 Triliun di Medan, Pemda Diminta Dukung Angkutan Massal

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

The community is waiting for the Trans Metro Deli bus at the Balai Kota bus stop, Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday (8/9/2023).

MEDAN, KOMPAS — Regional governments are asked to support the bus rapid transit or BRT project with policies that support mass transportation. The Ministry of Transportation will start construction of the Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang BRT in 2024. The Medan City Government has been asked to evaluate the project which is actually building a private vehicle parking building in the city core.

"In recent years, the central government has been developing public transportation in Medan, Binjai, and Deli Serdang (Mebidang). There are the Trans Metro Deli and Mebidang buses, airport train, commuter train, and upcoming BRT. However, the local government's support for public transportation has yet to be seen," said the Chairman of the Indonesian Road Development Association in North Sumatra, Burhan Batubara, on Tuesday (17/10/2023).

Secretary of the Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Amirulloh has signed a renewal of the working level agreement (working level agreement) with the Acting Governor of North Sumatra Hassanudin, Mayor of Medan Bobby A Nasution, Deputy Regent of Deli Serdang Ali Yusuf Siregar, and Mayor of Binjai Amir Hamza.

This project will enter the corridor construction phase, as well as the construction of stops, depots, technological and information devices, and procurement of buses. BRT Mebidang will have 31 major stops on 17 routes that stretch across the Mebidang metropolitan area.

Also read: Trans-Metro Deli, a New Culture of Public Transportation in Medan

HUMAS PEMKO MEDAN

Acting Governor of North Sumatra Hassanudin (second from the left) witnessed Medan Mayor Bobby A Nasution signing a renewal of the BRT Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang development agreement in Medan, North Sumatra, on Monday (17/10/2023).

According to Burhan, the development of the Mebidang BRT will create a new mass public transportation civilization in Mebidang. The frequency of bus trips will increase, public transportation fees will become more competitive, services will improve, and access will become easier.

The development, which is part of the Indonesia Mass Transit Project (Mastran), shows the central government's commitment to building mass transportation, especially in large cities throughout the country.

Previously, the Mebidang area already had the Trans Metro Deli bus with five corridors and the Mebidang Bus that served Binjai-Medan-Lubuk Pakam. In Mebidang, there is also the Kualanamu Airport Train and the Medan-Binjai commuter train.

However, a bias towards mass transportation development is not apparent in local government policies. Certain projects being undertaken contradict the development of mass transportation.

"One of the most ridiculous projects is the construction of a giant underground parking structure with a capacity of 600 vehicles beneath Lapangan Merdeka Medan. This is highly counterproductive to the development of mass transportation," said Burhan.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

The community was engaged in activities at Lapangan Merdeka Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday (7/6/2022).

Moreover, the parking building is constructed in Merdeka Square, which is the heart of the city. The roads surrounding the square are the area of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) or a center for mass transportation transit. The square is connected to six leading roads and a railway station that serves airport trains, commuters, and long-distance trains.

"The Medan City Government should be seeking ways to reduce private transportation in the city center, instead of constructing private vehicle parking buildings," said Burhan.

The lack of support from local government policies has resulted in very low occupancy rates for the Trans Metro Deli and Mebidang. Buses are only filled during rush hours when people are going to and coming back from work. Otherwise, buses are often empty.

Burhan also criticized the construction of two tunnel roads (underpass) that the Medan City Government will build on Jalan HM Yamin and Jalan Juanda as well as an overpass (overpass) on Jalan Railway Station. It is believed that the construction of flyovers and tunnel roads in the city core will only move congestion points.

The Medan city government should focus more on socializing and providing massive education on the use of public transportation to the public. This policy can start with government officials. Although it is still minimal, this is already being done. In the North Sumatra Transportation Agency, there is a program called "Friday Without Private Vehicles".

Medan also needs to learn from other big cities like Jakarta and Surabaya which already have a better culture of mass transportation.

Hassanudin stated that the Mebidang BRT project worth IDR 1.9 trillion was financed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD). "I hope that all stakeholders can synergize and collaborate so that Mebidang BRT can provide great benefits for the people of North Sumatra," he said.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Private cars and motorcycles pass through the crowded traffic on Balai Kota Street, Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday (8/9/2023).

Amirulloh stated that the Ministry of Transportation has requested that the budget for physical development that has been allocated be responded to with a commitment to funding from local governments in the Mebidang agglomeration area. Policies in the area are also encouraged to be in favor of public transportation.

"The regional government will receive assets, operate and develop services. We hope everyone will play a role in realizing high-quality mass public transportation for Mebidang," he said.

Bobby mentioned that the Medan City Government supports the development of mass public transportation in Mebidang. "We are committed to accelerating the physical development of the Mebidang BRT. Our hope is that the culture of driving for the community will shift from private to mass public transportation," said Bobby.

Bobby stated that the construction of tunnels and elevated roads is actually meant to support public transportation. Underneath the roads, pedestrian lanes will be integrated with the plan to construct BRT.

See also: 515 Buses Prepared for 17 Medan BRT Corridors