Tangerang, Kartunet - The need for fast, affordable, and safe transportation is a priority for residents of Jakarta and its surrounding areas who commute in the capital. Trans Jakarta, as the flagship transportation mode owned by the DKI Jakarta provincial government, continuously improves itself and strives to reach all segments of society. One of its breakthroughs is the launch of the TJ Card, a free Trans Jakarta bus pass designated for 11 community groups, including persons with disabilities. This policy is based on Governor Regulation No. 160 of 2016 concerning free Trans Jakarta services and free bus services for the public. It lists the groups entitled to this free service, which include:
- Civil servants and retired regional civil servants
- contract workers employed by the Regional Government
- students receiving KJP (Jakarta Smart Card)
- certain private sector employees
- residents of low-cost rental apartments
- residents of the Thousand Islands Administrative Regency
- recipients of welfare rice who reside in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi (Jabodetabek)
- members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI)/Indonesian National Police (POLRI)
- Veterans of the Republic of Indonesia
- PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES and
- ELDERLY RESIDENTS
Specifically for persons with disabilities, this free service can be enjoyed without needing to possess a DKI Jakarta ID card (KTP). This is certainly very beneficial, as many persons with disabilities migrate from other regions to the capital due to limited facilities and job opportunities in their home areas. Registration for the “TJ Card” can be done at all Transjakarta corridor bus stops. At several bus stops with a large number of passengers, booths are provided to serve registrants, open from 06:00 AM WIB to 08:00 PM WIB. These booths can be found at Glodok, Kalideres, Pasar Pulogadung, Matraman 1, Kampung Melayu, Ragunan, PGC 2, Duri Kepa, Slipi Petamburan, and Tanjung Priok bus stops. Registration has been available since last November. Obtaining a “TJ Card” is very easy. Bus stop staff will assist in recording customer identities, requiring them to show their ID card (KTP). Applicants must also be willing to be photographed and provide a contact phone number for Transjakarta staff. Once the “TJ Card” is ready, applicants will be contacted by phone and can pick it up at the registration location. In practice, the TJ Card functions similarly to an electronic Trans Jakarta bus ticket, but without any charges or balance deductions. Just like other passengers, “TJ Card” holders still need to tap in and tap out at the bus stop when boarding a Transjakarta bus. However, currently, this service is only valid within Transjakarta corridors (applicable at BRT stops). Therefore, customers traveling to or from station feeder routes and routes to buffer zones cannot yet enjoy this free service. Hopefully, this new policy will make mobility easier for persons with disabilities in Jakarta. Although existing facilities are not yet fully accessible, the DKI provincial government's initiative to address the needs of persons with disabilities is commendable.(DPM)