Since 2004, Jakarta Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Transjakarta has risen its popularity among the general public and considered as the most integrated transit system in Jakarta so far. Despite having a preference for rapid transportation such as KRL Commuterline, LRT, and MRT, Transjakarta has an integral role in connecting the commuters across the city with the most routes and more efficient travel.
Reflecting on the roadmap of Transportation 4.0, Transjakarta is expected to be the backbone of the future mass transit system in Jakarta. In 2020, Transjakarta set the new vision of becoming the future of urban mass transportation that operates under sustainable value and comprehensive integration.
In a coincidence of its 16th anniversary, Transjakarta has released the report on achieving the highest number of passengers in history with a total of 262,6 million people in 2019, adding 73,7 million with a 40 per cent increase from total 188,9 million passengers in 2018. In 2019, there are 719.711 people use Transjakarta for daily mobility.
Transjakarta currently has 247 routes covering protocol road, secondary road, arterial road, collector, and local, increased from a total of 160 routes in 2018. There are 54 BRT routes categorised into corridors, 14 Transjabodetabek routes to connect satellite suburbs to the inner city, 13 routes for Royaltrans (premium bus), and 23 routes for feeders and Rusunawa bus. Sinc 2017, Transjakarta has a total of 69 routes for intermodel public transportation, 69 routes for microtrans, and 7 routes for the tourist buses. Currently, Transjakarta has covered an integration in 65 drop point close to MRT Station, 20 to LRT, and 156 to KRL Commuterline.
In achieving the real-time travel, the government also ensures a clearance to the Jakarta BRT route, enforcing the law to avoid other vehicles access to the busway by putting separator in the specific roadway that has potential congestion. The elevated routes are also infrastructure development for a more efficient trip. The Transjakarta bus operates outside the busway has been faced challenges, remains unpopular due to the traffic on the public roads.
Transporation 4.0
Since the implementation of Transportation 4.0 begun in 2016, Transjakarta has shown significant progress on the integration for multi-transportation ticketing system, realtime arrival schedule, data-based customer integration, and multi-business lines. Since four years ago, Transjakarta has added up bus feeder lines and micro lines in connecting local routes and other transportation stations making it easier for people to commute.
Jakarta tourist bus #JakartaExplorer is also operated by Jakarta with a current two different routes facilitating urban tourism to explore Jakarta landmarks. In December 2019, Transjakarta introduced the first electric bus during the New Year 2020 which only operated around the National Monument (Monas). This year, Transjakarta is expected to launch 20 units electric bus which will be debuted to support E-Prix, a Formula E championship in Jakarta in June.
The BRT company has prepared the 10-year plan to strive for excellence with an optimised implementation of Transportation 4.0. The former Director of Transjakarta, Agung Wicaksono stated the plan will be linked to a sustainable transportation system and environmentally-friendly on-road travel. The company also put an effort into funding through asset utilisation such as Non-Fare Box (NFB). Third, the company aims to shape an independent culture of transportation among the user by starting on applying wayfinding system and Tap in Bus (TOB) as a similar ticketing system in develop country.
“We are optimistic to become a forefront to lead Jakarta public transportation to be more independent and sustainable where the citizen also starts to take Transjakarta more and more. It’s the part in pursuing a mission of Jakarta Smart City, City 4.0,” Wicaksono said on release.
Integration
Integration to the main transit system has been done at Dukuh Atas Station, Bundaran HI, Blok M, and Lebak Bulus. The city government is undergoing development to integrate ASEAN MRT Station with Transjakarta CSW bus stop with a total budget of IDR 55 billion. In the following year, there will be an integration project to connect stations with bus stops that have high frequent passengers in a few strategic locations around Jakarta.
“Both MRT and BRT are Jakarta’s pride. All this time, the infrastructure plan fro transportation hasn’t linked to the integration that makes these transit systems work cohesively with others. With the attempt to integrate the transportation, hopefully, people will prefer taking the public transit instead of a private vehicle,” Jakarta Governor Anis Baswedan said, according to CNN.
In the passenger’s perspective, many people have admitted the progress Transjakarta has made so far. passenger feels Transjakarta has shown the commitment to provide convenient public transportation with the most integrative networks. “For those still dring a car, you should consider switching to public transport. It is very comfortable now,” said Indiana Basitha @basithahulahula who is used to combine Royaltrans with MRT.
Focus on Passengers
Amid the significant progress, Transjakarta is urged to focus on the current issue to more listen to the daily commuters who experience the lack of service quality, especially for those traveling in some corridors. The lack of available bus unit in some corridors also make the passengers have to wait longer compared to the main coridor that has more bus units.
“It’s only about coincidence but also the availibity of the bus unit. Some routes have only few bus passing by. So, I have to wait longer,” Anderson Zubir @anderson_zubir said.
Few passengers still feel unsafe and feel threatened in a few bus stops and corridors that don’t have security and on-board crew. Passengers also demand the company to revilatise the Transjakarta bus stops with the similar payment technology as well as real-time arrival monitor as well as other infrastructure including safety. Even though there are specific busses for female passenggers, there are few complaints stating that the women and men are still worried about the possibility of sexual harrasment, physical violation, and petty theft.
TiJe, as many people call Transjakarta has proven the significant contribution to many people who try to avoid traffic and anyone who has committed to reduce Jakarta pollution by taking the public transportation service. However, the company has obligation to protect its passenger and provide a better service for anyone who decides to shift from private vehicle to Transjakarta.
Downlaod the app TiJeku on Android and iOS. Follow Transjakarta on Twitter and Instagram @pt_transjakarta. For more information, visit their official website www.transjakarta.co.id
