Criticism Of The Policy To Cut Public Transportation Routes By The DKI Provincial Government

The situation on the TransJakarta bus (Detha Arya Tifada / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of DKI Jakarta has reduced the number of fleets and operating time for three public transportation: MRT, LRT, and TransJakarta. The aim is to reduce the potential for interaction between residents. That way, the spread of COVID-19 will be suppressed. However, it's not as easy as the plan. This policy is actually a problem.

Elias (28) stands about 15 minutes in the middle of Jalan Puri Beta Selatan Raya, Tangerang. In front of him, dozens of other people were snaking awaiting their turn to enter - in a line of about one hundred meters - to the Puri Beta TransJakarta Bus Stop. Unable to stand it, Elias finally decided to get out of the line.

To VOI, Elias explained, he was not only unwilling to wait. However, the large crowd worried him about the higher potential for COVID-19 transmission. Elias finally decided to take an online motorcycle taxi to get to his office in the Kebon Sirih area, Central Jakarta.

"Inside (the bus) it must be worse (the crowd). No, okay," Elias said via text message, Monday, March 16.

Elias' concern is valid, especially when looking back at our coverage last Thursday, March 12. In this coverage, we found how many TransJakarta users are still careless: being disciplined in using hand sanitizers or applying the ethics of coughing and sneezing.

The situation on the TransJakarta bus (Detha Arya Tifada / VOI)

Public policy observer, Trubus Rahadiansyah, has criticized the policy of the DKI Provincial Government. The accumulation of passengers, according to him, was due to the hasty decision to cut public transportation routes. The DKI Provincial Government clearly does not measure the readiness of the world of work - companies and workers - to decide this step.

Trubus' criticism relates to the socialization which is not optimally grounded. According to Trubus, the DKI Provincial Government should first conduct socialization for several days before implementing this step. For example, the call for work from home (WFH).

According to Trubus, this policy could not be carried out in a tight time. It's nothing, the majority of Jakarta residents work in the service sector. Therefore, it is naive if the DKI Pemprov thinks that it can force the world of work to implement WFH policies with a limited amount of time.

"It seems that they are not ready, because Jakarta residents work in the service sector. So, simply if they don't work, they won't get money," Trubus told VOI, Monday, March 16.

Lack of coordination

Furthermore, Trubus explained the importance of socialization and coordination with the world of work. This is important. Even if the WFH decision is the best solution. With coordination and socialization, the world of work will have time to develop strategies on how to carry out work with certain schemes.

"There should be coordination with private associations or companies. Later discussing the possibility of working holidays and so on," said Trubus.

The accumulation of passengers at a number of public transportation points is evidence of the lack of coordination by the DKI Provincial Government. It is not only the potential for infection to be even greater. According to Trubus, the accumulation of passengers will cause a number of problems, such as the emergence of free rides, namely people who take advantage of chaotic situations for profit.

"New problems could occur. The community's emotions must have been provoked because they had waited a long time. For this reason, coordination is important in this matter," said Trubus.

The policy of cutting public transportation routes was previously announced by the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan. Public transportation, such as the MRT, LRT, and TransJakarta, will have a minimum operating time. Later, the transportation facility will only serve the public from 06.00 to 18.00 WIB. In fact, previously public transportation operated from 05.00 to 24.00 WIB.

"We want to convey that public transportation services in Jakarta will undergo changes. We will reduce the service capacity in an extreme way," said Anies in Jakarta, Sunday, March 15.