a-journey, a-dot

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empty lane vs traffic, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile’s pics.

The city administration of Jakarta is planning to build six inner city toll roads which will cost more than IDR 40 trillion. Jakarta now is one of the highest motorcycle ownership about 339 units/1000 people. Cars is about 180 cars/1000 people, in contrast with one of the most advance city in Asia, Shanghai’s 50.

Car is symbol of prestige.. it airconditioned cabin separate you from outside… hot humid air, beggars, direct pollution, sweating and smell, ultraviolet, criminals, etc… Most of people whom can afford a car,  including myself, would prefer to sit in my own car despite heavy and crazy traffic… we simply don’t give a damn!!

I am interested in bike to work, but still have a great concern with pollution and how to get dress afterwards. Anyhow, I’m 1000% sure that there is something wrong with the public transportation regulation and policy. But why the city administration is keep prioritizing to build city toll roads but not massive public transportation. Recent pics above shows empty lane side by side with the traffic. We knew busway would not that effective compare to subway or overhead monorails since it sacrifice the main road, but the busway now is just an empty lane… Please not new toll roads.. we need extensive and massive public transport that penetrate inner city with the integrated and easy access hub surrounding the city..

new roads = less congestion for a while = encourage more cars = more traffic = endless circle but more traffic and more concrete paving and flyovers. This leads to more pollution and inefficiency of gasoline, increase social cost …. hmmm

I think Jakarta people choose the wrong governor..:)). He had no vision at all… I try to smell footprints of Bali environmental conference few months back… but nothing than million dollar notes that  would create more pollution…