Transjakarta Bus Accident Happened Again, DKI DPRD: We've Called It, There's No Change

Passengers queue at the Transjakarta bus stop. (Antara)

JAKARTA - The Transjakarta bus accident again claimed lives. Member of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Gilbert Simanjuntak, admitted that he was surprised.

Gilbert said that Commission B of the DKI DPRD has called Transjakarta many times over a number of incidents but accidents still happen. According to him, efforts to improve transportation modes in Jakarta have yet to produce results.

"We have called Transjakarta and the operator. Even though it has been conveyed many times, the incident keeps repeating itself. I don't see any change with another victim who died when he was hit by a Transjakarta bus," Gilbert told reporters, Tuesday, November 1.

Previously, Transjakarta had indeed made a number of improvement efforts to prevent accidents from happening again, such as the provision of a driver's school, as well as the addition of a special safety division within the structure of Transjakarta.

Then, the DPRD has also urged Transjakarta to terminate the contract with the bus operator partners if an accident occurs again so that the operators can ensure the safety of services and the condition of their respective drivers. Gilbert also asked Transjakarta to take firm action to terminate the contract.

"We have made it clear that cooperation on this route should be stopped in the event of an accident. Although it has been repeatedly conveyed to Transjakarta to take firm action against the operator and the driver, the incident keeps repeating itself," Gilbert said.

In addition, Gilbert also urged Transjakarta to remove the board of directors who do not have a background in transportation.

"The inability of the board of directors is also influenced by those who do not have the appropriate background. At least this (change) will make a change with the new management," he said.

Another accident involving a Transjakarta bus occurred on Friday, October 28 night. A Transjakarta bus numbered B 7003 SGX hit a pedestrian on Jalan MH Thamrin, precisely at the Kebon Sirih traffic light.

As a result of the incident, the victim with the initials FNR suffered injuries to the head and legs. He was rushed to Tarakan Hospital, but his life could not be saved.