"All cities should start thinking about developing their mass transportation," he stated while officiating the Pakupatan Type A Terminal in Serang, Banten, on Monday as virtually monitored from Jakarta.
According to Jokowi, almost all cities, especially on Java Island, are already experiencing traffic jams.
"Some regions have severe congestion and others have moderate congestion. It was caused by residents' financial power to buy cars and motorbikes," Widodo remarked.
The president pointed out that private vehicle owners tended to abandon the use of mass transportation.
"Therefore, the government encourages the use of public transportation, such as MRT (mass rapid transit), LRT (light rail transit), fast train, Commuter Line, and TransJakarta in Jakarta. We want the public to use mass transportation instead of their private vehicles," the president stated.
In addition, the president was pleased to witness the people's interest in using public transportation at Pakupatan Terminal as was proven by the high number of buses passing through the terminal every day, reaching 400 units.
"With this modern terminal, we believe the number of passengers will increase. That is our goal," he remarked.
Jokowi stated that the newly inaugurated Pakupatan Terminal dispelled the image that the bus terminal was unsafe and often associated with thuggery.
"The bus terminal is a comfortable public place, with good service, and provides spaces for small and medium businesses to sell their products," the head of state emphasized.
He then lauded the Ministry of Transportation for working together with the regional government, provincial government, and city government to build the Pakupatan Terminal.
Earlier, the president had also inaugurated the Purworejo Terminal in Purworejo District, Mendolo Terminal in Wonosobo District, Purboyo Terminal in Madiun City, and Patria Terminal in Blitar City.
On the occasion, he urged the transportation minister to standardize all bus terminals in Indonesia.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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