An anthropologist from the University of Indonesia, Semiarto Aji Purwanto, considered MRT to be necessary for a city as it was an indicator of the success of the local government in providing better transportation services to its citizens.
In an interview, Purwanto stated that the MRT has become a necessity. The current trend is MRT.
Actually, the community needs affordable, fast, and reliable transportation.
The existence of the MRT is expected to fulfill the people`s need for affordable and fast transportation.
Moreover, the proposed fare is Rp8.5 thousand per 10 kilometers.
"A ticket fare amounting to Rp8.5 thousand per 10 kilometers is very good," he added.
Should the MRT in Jakarta be unique?
One of the benefits of the MRT is to reduce the density of vehicles on the road as it can encourage people who use private vehicles to use mass transportation. The MRT contributes to increasing the capacity of public transportation. The city`s first MRT is expected to carry nearly 200 thousand passengers per day.
The MRT reduces travel time and increases mobility. Travel time from Lebak Bulus, in the south, to the HI roundabout will be about 30 minutes. Travel time from Lebak Bulus to Kampung Bandan will be about 52.5 minutes.
Meanwhile, private cars can take up to two hours during peak hours of work week.
The reduction in travel time will increase the mobility of citizens. The increasing mobility will improve the economy and the quality of life of the citizens.
New Culture
On the other hand, the MRT and technology-based modes of transportation have emerged as the new culture of users.
The users will be more tied to their schedules. The behavior of the users who like to smoke and sit carelessly will change.
So far, the citizens used mass transportation without following the rules.
TransJakarta rapid transport system applies disciplines to their passengers. There are technological issues that require the discipline of the operator.
"Transjakarta can stop anywhere, but people cannot go down (anywhere). With technology, we can control and force people. Then people have no choice," Purwanto remarked.
With regard to services, TransJakarta has quickly changed the system. At the beginning, the passengers must used money, but now the passengers can use an access card.
The transition from using money to an access card has become a good example of cultural changes in TransJakarta transportation.
"In various studies, MRT and other mass transportation teach discipline," Purwanto noted.
Reporting by Lia Wanadriani
On the other hand, in urban society, people become more individualistic, self-centered, and so on.
The characteristic of urban community leads to a sense of respect.
"All kinds of disciplines will encourage strong individualism. It is not a positive or a negative problem. The disciplines create concern for others, but it has not grown too much," he added.
In addition, when referring to cities in developed countries, MRT stations are integrated with economic centers, such as malls and markets.
A similar condition can occur in the country. The station will face losses if the operator does not open a business center for primary or secondary needs.
People must walk
With the presence of the MRT, the people of Jakarta should be able to identify themselves as citizens at the global level.
That way, they also have to prepare a culture that applies at the global level, one of which is walking.
A nutritionist and a fitness expert Jansen Ongko pointed out that the MRT could be a tool to increase the number of pedestrians.
Based on a study, Jakarta received the title of having "the laziest pedestrian in the world," because of the lack of supporting infrastructure.
The existence of the MRT will automatically increase the number of pedestrians, at least those who use mass transportation.
Therefore, the infrastructure for pedestrians should be safe and comfortable.
However, most people still underestimate walking. In fact, walking has a myriad of health benefits, namely reducing stress, improving heart health, as well as aiding in weight loss.
"By walking regularly, the program to lose weight becomes easier," Ongko revealed.
The emergence of new technology resulted in improvement in people`s lives. The MRT, with all its advantages as alternative modes of modern transportation, must be managed comprehensively.
The MRT should support urban spatial planning.
In developed countries, areas around the MRT became business centers and commercial complex.
Overall, the MRT could become a driver for Jakarta government to restore urban spatial planning, such as the construction of sidewalks to the station, providing feeder bus services, and parking lot.
In that way, citizens who live or make activities around the MRT line could enjoy the mass transportation.
Meanwhile, people who live in the suburbs of Jakarta could access the MRT with feeder bus services.
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
