President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged authorities of major urban centres nationwide to develop modes of mass transportation, such as railway systems or bus transit networks, to alleviate traffic congestion issues.
"We expect major cities outside Jakarta to consider (developing) LRT (light rapid transit), MRT (mass rapid transit), and other mass transportation modes, as otherwise, the city will succumb to traffic congestion, as roads can no longer expand, and residents will be over-reliant on personal transportation," the president stated in Medan, North Sumatra, Thursday.
While concurrently opening the Amplas Terminal in Medan and Tanjung Pinggir Terminal in Pematang Siantar, both in North Sumatra, Jokowi noted that other major urban centres outside Jakarta, such as Medan, Bandung, Surabaya, and Makassar, were plagued by the same issue of traffic congestion.
To address the issue, Jokowi said that he encouraged residents to use means of public transportation, including intercity and interisland buses, as well as other modes.
"Jakarta already has its MRT, and their LRT will be complete soon. Moreover, (work on) the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway system is also completing soon," he noted.
The president expressed optimism that the two new terminals in North Sumatra will motivate residents to switch from personal vehicles to bus transportation.
"And I hope that after its opening, it will serve the public with the best services," he stressed.
Meanwhile, he also highlighted the need to maintain cleanliness and security in public transport facilities, including terminals, as unclean facilities with an influx of gangsters will dissuade the public from using them.
"Facilities, such as bus terminals, must be good, clean, and comfortable, unlike terminals in the past that are dirty and laden with gangsters. Who will be keen to use bus transport if that continues to happen?" Jokowi questioned.
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Editor : Mahdani
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