Support For DKI Pemprov Plans Related To Stopping Jakarta Intercity Buses

Jakarta was deserted at the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. (Angga Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has canceled the plan to stop intercity buses going to Jakarta, which was discussed by the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta. Transportation expert from the Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Muslich Zainal Asikin, said that the central government should not cancel the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government's plan which aims to break the chain of the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19.

"It should not be allowed. We all agree that now we should cut the chain of distribution and transportation. The one that provides support for this spread if there is an outbreak like this. People can go to one area because of transportation. dong (can distribute), "he said, when contacted by VOI, in Jakarta, Monday, March 30.

Muslich said, the most effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to cut off the media of distribution. He said, by temporarily stopping the bus, people's mobility would be limited.

"If the transportation system is cut off, people will not travel easily," he said.

On the other hand, Muslich admitted that he did not agree with the reason that the government chose to delay bus stops because there was no economic study. According to him, the status of Jakarta, which is the epicenter of COVID-19, does not require an economic study.

"What economic study? If it is in an emergency outbreak situation like this, there is no need for an economic study. Jakarta has become the epicenter and then we want to agree in what way? Wong, everything is in an abnormal state," he said.

The government, said Muslich, should not hesitate in deciding this limited quarantine. Moreover, the prohibition issued by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is limited to non-transportation of people carrying logistics.

"It's not a lockdown as a whole. Just starting with buses that carry people in bulk. On the bus, people can be infected. The function of the bus can also transmit, the arrival of people to Jakarta is also contagious, and has the potential to attract Jakarta people outside, it also has the potential to infect. I think that the provincial government is right, "he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation, Adita Irawati, confirmed that the Ministry of Transportation decided to cancel the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government's plan. The decision is in accordance with the direction of the implementation of duties (Plt) Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan.

"In accordance with the direction of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment as Acting Minister of Transportation, the implementation of the operational ban is postponed, pending a study of the overall economic impact," he said, when contacted.

Adita said that this cancellation was also in accordance with a direction from President Joko Widodo in a limited meeting Monday morning.

As is well known, the DKI Provincial Government, through the DKI Transportation Agency, has temporarily stopped the operation of all intercity inter-provincial buses (AKAP), inter-provincial shuttle (AJAP), and tourism with routes of origin and destination from Jakarta.

The stop for the bus operation, which is usually used to return home (homecoming) and this tour, starts today, March 30 at 18.00 WIB until an undetermined time. This matter was also agreed upon by the Director General of Land Transportation, Ministry of Transportation, and the Jabodetabek Transportation Management Agency.

Head of the Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, said that the bus stop was carried out in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus outbreak from Jakarta to other areas.

"Starting this Monday at 18.00 WIB we will ban bus operations from Jabodetabek out of town. The hope is that this ban will suppress the spread of the corona virus to destination areas," said Syafrin when contacted, Monday, March 30.

When there are bus operators, both AKAP, AJAP, and tourism, which operate their bus fleets, they will be subject to sanctions according to the applicable regulations. Bus operators who do not comply with this rule will be given a first warning, followed by a second and third warning. The maximum penalty, the government will revoke the bus operator's license.

"We appeal to public transport operators to be able to do this. Of course, this is our concerted effort to prevent the spread of a more massive corona virus," said Syafrin.