Jakarta, Kartunet - Trans Jakarta is one of Jakarta's leading modes of transportation. However, the quality of service and comfort level are still considered far from ideal. This condition also impacts people with disabilities who use the service. This has also become a concern for the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok.
Quoted from BeritaSatu.com, the former regent of South Belitung urged PT Transportasi Jakarta, as the operator of Trans Jakarta buses, to provide facilities that ease access for people with disabilities. He also requested that staff at the state-owned enterprise (BUMD) be given sensitization and training so they can properly assist people with disabilities when using the available facilities.
"Our bus system must be able to cater to people with disabilities. We have assigned PT Transjakarta because what has been built is not suitable. They should also train Transjakarta officers and provide instructions like this," he said at City Hall, Jakarta, Wednesday (October 15). Ahok added that staff at bus stops must also be sensitive to disabled passengers using Transjakarta.
He said that, ideally, in public facilities like Transjakarta, wheelchair users should be able to board the buses, but currently they are unable to.
"That's why we are preparing free double-decker buses, so the deck is lower. We must enforce that public transportation must have space for people with disabilities. For now, let's fix the bus stops first," he said. Currently, the facilities available at Trans Jakarta are still far from accessible for people with disabilities. The gap between the bus stop platform and the bus floor is too wide, which makes it difficult and dangerous for wheelchair users and visually impaired individuals.
Additionally, some access routes to bus stops are still in the form of stairs, or are ramps but with an excessively steep incline.(DPM) source: Beritasatu.com October 15, 2014