Protested By Pete-pete, Teman Bus In Makassar, South Sulawesi, Return To Operation With Route Cuts

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

MAKASSAR - The Provincial Government of South Sulawesi will immediately re-operate the "Teman Bus" Trans Mamminasata by simplifying a number of routes that are also traversed by the public transportation route known as the local pete-pete.

The South Sulawesi Teman Bus program has been suspended since it sparked protests in a demonstration from angkot drivers in Makassar City on December 16, 2021, until now.

"The routes are simplified. This means that some of the Teman Bus routes will be simplified so they don't intersect too much with the Pete-pete route. This has been discussed and the buses will soon be back in operation," said Head of the South Sulawesi Transportation Agency Muhammad Arafah in Makassar, quoted by Antara, Monday, 20 December.

A total of 87 bus units from the Ministry of Transportation grant have been operating and have received positive responses from various circles of society as a choice of transportation mode that offers a service purchase pattern.

As a result, the South Sulawesi Transportation Service noted that "Teman Bus" has served 48,196 passengers since operating from November 20 to December 16 with a passenger load of 31 percent.

This data shows that people are interested in using Teman Bus in controlling their daily routines through the various benefits it offers, such as punctuality, convenience, security, and so on.

Muhammad Arafah said that he would again coordinate with all relevant parties such as Traffic Directorate, Head of the Transportation Service throughout Mamminasata (Makassar, Maros, Sungguminasa Gowa, and Takalar) on Tuesday (21/12) in maximizing the operation of "Teman Bus" again.

"We have held meetings with angkot drivers many times. At this time it is necessary to understand that the community needs this service (Teman Bus) and this is a Central Program that we must respond positively as a convenience for the community," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Mamminasata Transportation Unit, Prayudi Syamsibar, stated that the stop of Teman Bus was to respect those who felt aggrieved while taking a persuasive approach so that the transportation modes in Makassar complement each other in facilitating people's routines.

"This Pete-pete is not a rival to the Teman Bus and actually not the Pete-pete passenger we want to take," he said.

"So the solution, a persuasive approach is still carried out by accommodating the wishes of the Pete-pete drivers but not 100 percent following their wishes," he explained.

The presence of Trans Maminasata targets private vehicle owners who, if they use "Teman Bus", will certainly reduce the density of road use. This will also have an impact on reducing carbon emissions.

From here, said Yudi, it will improve the quality of life because by becoming the preferred mode of transportation, the roads will be more tenuous and air pollution will certainly decrease.

The benefits of "Teman Bus", according to Yudi, are increasingly being felt by the community, this is shown by the many protests, especially from women because its operation must be temporarily stopped.

"So far, the government has issued subsidies only for certain people. Teman Bus is different, the benefits can be felt by all groups, especially for people with disabilities. This service has many benefits for the community," he said.