Jakarta Governor Visit to Bogotá Jumpstarts TransJakarta Busway

Posted: 01 Jul 2003

Related to: Jakarta BRT, Developing High-Quality, Low-Cost Mass Transit, Indonesia
Contributed by: John Ernst

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso visited Bogotá’s TransMilenio bus system in May. After the trip, Sutiyoso reconfirmed his commitment to seeing the Trans- Jakarta busway open by year end 2003, and set up a management team headed by Assistant to the City Secretary, Irzal Jamal. The first line, 12.9 kilometers that will connect the city’s Northern rail station to the Blok M Bus Terminal and shopping area, will become the first line in a planned 14 line system.

Photo: Governor Sutiyoso during
his visit to TransMilenio

In May, ITDP, Pelangi and other partners worked with the design team on pedestrian facilities in the corridor, and the Governor has now committed to much improved pedestrian access facilities and nicer, more comfortable stations. Some of the world’s leading bus system designers who worked on the TransMilenio system will be in Jakarta in July and August helping to finalize designs.

Still undecided is the type of bus that will be used. While the Governor and Lt. Governor would like to use CNG buses, Pertamina, the state oil and gas company, has said it is unable to provide the necessary fueling stations in time for the planned opening in 2003. The current plan is to go with Euro II compliant diesel buses, but given the short time frame, manufacturers are saying procurement of Euro II vehicles is also problematic.