TRANSJAKARTA

TransJakarta is a bus rapid transit system in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the first system in Southern and Southeast Asia. The TransJakarta system began operations on January 25, 2004. As of February 14, 2013 the 12th corridor was added officially, with 3 more currently corridors in progress. TransJakarta was designed to provide Jakarta citizens with a fast public transportation system to help reduce rush hour traffic. The buses run in special lanes and ticket prices are subsidized by the regional government. At the 10th years of TransJakarta operation anniversary, the buses carried more than 350,000 passengers per day with more than 500 buses in operation and more than a hundred in maintenace and for reserve. The first TransJakarta line opened to the public on January 15, 2004. Following two weeks in which it was free to use, commercial operations started on February 1, 2004. TransJakarta was built to provide a fast, comfortable, and affordable mass transportation system. To accomplish those objectives, the buses were given lanes restricted to other traffic and separated by concrete blocks on the streets that became part of the busway routes.

There were some initial teething problems, such as when the roof of one of the buses rammed into a railway tunnel. In addition, many buses had technical issues such as broken doors and stop buttons. In order to promote gender equity, TransJakarta is increasing the number of female driver recruits. The projected proportion is 30% of the total. From January to July 2010 there were 237 accidents involving TransJakarta buses, resulting in 57 injuries and eight deaths. Accidents occurred due to pedestrians crossing the busway and cars making u-turns. In 2011, in an effort to stop non TransJakarta vehicles using the bus lanes, the Jakarta Police Chief suggested that TransJakarta buses should run against the direction of traffic flow. Usually non-TransJakarta vehicles used busway lanes during peak hours between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On January 12, 2012 a policeman from Indonesian Police Headquarters, who is hired by Securicor, fired his gun near the ear of a TransJakarta officer, after threatening to kill him. The policeman was angry after the TransJakarta officer stopped the Securicor car from entering the busway lane which only allows TransJakarta buses, ambulances and firefighter to enter. The police spokesman said that the policeman will be charged by criminal law or disciplinary sanction.

On March 12, 2012 four TransJakarta buses were hijacked by alleged university students at the Medan Merdeka Selatan street. The buses were then driven to the front of the Universitas Kristen Indonesia (Christian University of Indonesia) campus. Three drivers were able to escape from their buses, but one driver was prevented from leaving and forced to drive the hijackers to their destination. Bus' fire extinguishers, glass-breaking hammers and driver's jackets were also taken. TransJakarta also operates Chinese-made Huanghai, Zhongtong, Ankai, local-made Komodo and Inobus articulated buses on long and straight corridors, such as Corridor 5. Each bus is equipped with an electronic board and speakers that announce the name of shelters in two languages, Indonesian and English. Each bus is also equipped with a bi-directional radio transceiver to allow the driver to provide and recaive updated information regarding traffic jams, road accidents or lost items. To keep the air fresh, especially during rush hours each bus is equipped with automatic air freshener dispensers which periodically spray car fragrance. In August 2011, TransJakarta operator has installed cameras on one bus for a trial period. The plan is to install 4 cameras on all buses gradually in efforts to improve services such as to inform passengers waiting for buses about how crowded approaching buses are and prevent sexual harassment on its service

The cost of a TransJakarta ticket since its initial operation is a flat rate of Rp 2,000 at concessional times (05.00a.m. to 07.00a.m.) and Rp 3,500 all other times. Passengers who wish to change direction or transit to other corridors do not need to pay again, provided they do not exit the shelter. An exception is in effect at the line terminus. During rush hours, people from upper or middle classes (one of the main targets of TransJakarta) usually prefer to use private cars or taxis to avoid inconvenience of the overcrowded Transjakarta buses even though they have to bear with traffic jams instead. Many passengers are thus lower-middle-class people who are ex-users of other less comfortable and/or more expensive commercial buses. This situation is at odds with one of the initial objectives of  TransJakarta which was to reduce traffic jam during rush hours by persuading private car owners to use comfortable public transport. There is a special program for the student groups called Transjakarta goes to school. Participants in program there are assigned a dedicated bus. The aim is to train students to stand in line, be decent, and prefer public transport than personal vehicles. In essence, the existence of TransJakarta is very useful for Jakarta residents and surrounding.