Non-folding Bicycles May Enter MRT Is Criticized, Jakarta Deputy Governor: Passengers Will Not Be Disturbed

Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan (Photo: PR of DKI Jakarta)

JAKARTA - A number of parties have criticized DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan's policy of allowing non-folding bicycles to enter the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train.

However, Deputy Governor of DKI Ahmad Riza Patria defended. Riza said the policy to allow MRT passengers to carry their bicycles onto the Ratangga train would not disturb other passengers.

"Look, the policy is limited in the duration. Not during rush hour. MRT users will not be disturbed, alright," said Riza on Thursday, March 25 evening.

Riza explained that non-folding bicycle users can only use the Jakarta MRT outside of peak hours, which are other than 07.00-9.00 and 17.00-19.00 western Indonesia time. While on Saturdays and Sundays, non-foldable bicycles are allowed during train operating hours.

Then, bicycles may only be entered on train number six in each series, and a maximum of four bicycles per departure.

Bicycles that are allowed to enter the carriage are regular bicycles or those commonly used by residents, with the maximum dimensions allowed, namely 200 centimeters x 55 centimeters x 120 centimeters, with a maximum tire width of 15 centimeters. In addition, tandem bicycles are not allowed.

"God willing, this policy will provide support to residents and bicycle users to be able to make bicycles not only for recreation, sports, but also transportation," he said.

Previously, Anies Baswedan brought his old bicycle on the MRT when he left for DKI City Hall. Gilbert Simanjuntak, a member of the PDIP faction at the DPRD DKI, criticized this.

According to Gilbert, this policy does not side with poor people. This is because even merchants who carry their products are not allowed to enter the electric railroad (KRL) because they are considered to be disturbing passengers.

"I do not see this policy as pro-people because serious cyclists are not for styling. Surely they feel strange riding the MRT because their goal is cycling for sports," Gilbert told reporters, Thursday, March 25.

Gilbert asked Anies to take into account the policies that were decided to cover the needs of the entire community, not just the interests of a group of people. "Bicycles like that enter a train, it seems that they are no longer a means of transportation, but instead a burden of transportation," he said.

A number of netizens also criticized the policy for bicycles to enter the MRT train in the comments column on Instagram mrtjkt. Many netizens consider this policy redundant and disturbing other passengers.

"Isn't there a waste of seats where there are bicycles," said the oenoezreikkonen account.

"You need to think that it should not disturb passengers who don't bring a bicycle, because the MRT carriages are not designed to carry non-folding bicycles, what if they are carrying a classic bicycle?" said Atohertianto's account.

"How strange is the policy? Are you sure that non-folding bikes can enter the MRT? It's still empty now. It's still possible for bicycles. But if one day the MRT cars start to get full. Will this regulation does not make it difficult for MRT passengers and managers?" said the andhika_adityas account.