An expert's prediction that Jakarta's traffic would completely paralyze the city by 2014 immediately made the public realize the severity of congestion in the capital. Indeed, as I observe, even small roads that were once quiet are now experiencing congestion. The provincial government's policy of “sacrificing” schoolchildren by moving up class schedules also seems insufficient to address the traffic problem. The resulting impact is that congestion now starts even earlier in the morning.
Furthermore, there is a discourse among a group of people who feel that Jakarta is no longer comfortable, advocating for the relocation of the capital outside Java. At first glance, this might seem like an appropriate long-term solution for the capital's problems. However, meticulous planning will be required for the new capital city to ensure that similar issues do not recur. If this relocation is carried out hastily, especially if it's merely treated as a legacy commodity for the ruling government, it will solve nothing.
The Mass Rapid Transportation (MRT) project undertaken by the DKI Jakarta provincial government, to some extent, offers new hope for solving the traffic problem. Through this project, several mass transportation modes such as monorail trains, subways, and TransJakarta busways will be built to integrally accelerate the mobility of Jakarta residents and its surrounding areas.
So far, the only project that has yielded results is the TransJakarta Busway. Despite receiving considerable criticism for its dedicated lanes occupying existing road space, the majority of the public has experienced the benefits of this mode of transportation. People feel relatively safer and more comfortable compared to city buses, which are often in a concerning state. However, has the already comfortable TransJakarta bus system also accommodated our fellow citizens with disabilities? What about the accessibility of this mode of transportation, so that people with disabilities can also use it comfortably?
In general, TransJakarta facilities make regular users quite comfortable. To reach the existing shelters or bus stops, one can use the available pedestrian bridges. Inside the bus, air conditioning is ready to cool passengers. Although it can sometimes get crowded during rush hours, the regular pace of TransJakarta buses makes the journey less arduous for passengers. So, what about passengers with disabilities?
According to Article 6 of Law No. 4 of 1997, people with disabilities are protected in their right to access public facilities. In this regard, public transportation should ideally accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. The development of the TransJakarta transportation network is considered to have started paying attention to the principle of accessibility.
Starting with the bridge infrastructure connecting public roads to TransJakarta bus stops. Some bridges have already been made ramped, aiding the mobility of wheelchair users. They can independently reach the TransJakarta bus departure stops. Furthermore, inside the bus, the vehicle floor is made flat, unlike the multi-level floors of typical buses. The seating arrangement is also longitudinal along the sides of the bus. This arrangement creates enough space for wheelchair users to move around inside the bus. For seating, a special spot is also provided for wheelchair users. A section of seats on one side of the bus can be lifted, allowing it to be occupied by a wheelchair without obstructing other passengers passing by.
As for other disabilities, such as visual impairment, the facilities provided are quite good. The barriers along the edge of the bridge can serve as directional handrails for the visually impaired. Additionally, when entering the bus, there are door attendants always ready to assist visually impaired passengers.
As a start, this is quite encouraging. An accommodating attitude towards people with disabilities is beginning to be implemented. However, many aspects still need improvement to ensure accessibility, comfort, and safety for people with disabilities.
The most crucial aspect for the mobility of wheelchair users is the ramped bridges leading to TransJakarta bus stops. In some places, these bridges are still quite steep, sometimes posing a danger to wheelchair users mobilizing alone. Furthermore, some bridges still consist of stairs, which are, of course, inaccessible to wheelchair users.
Moreover, the fact that the number of passengers surges during rush hours also makes TransJakarta buses less comfortable for people with disabilities. Especially for wheelchair users, they require sufficient space to move around so they don't get squeezed inside the bus. Similarly, entering and exiting the bus becomes very difficult for them if the bus they are riding is packed, leaving no room for mobility.
The right to comfort, safety, and accessibility for people with disabilities when using public transportation must be harmoniously upheld by both the community and the government. The general public needs to be more sensitive to the presence of passengers with disabilities on public transport. If you encounter such passengers, grant them their right to the designated space inside the bus, rather than pretending not to know or simply not caring.
Such socialization should be further promoted through existing mass media. The public needs to gain knowledge about these matters. Sometimes, the public's indifference is caused by fear, as they genuinely don't know how to help. It's enough to provide guidance that there's no need to go to great lengths to help; simply provide space for them to mobilize independently.
Furthermore, a fleet that is disproportionate to the number of users also causes discomfort for passengers. Overcrowded buses make it difficult for passengers with disabilities to be inside. Additionally, the bad habit of Jakarta residents to jostle for space when a bus arrives is another factor that complicates matters for them.
This ideally wouldn't happen if the government were willing to invest more in procuring TransJakarta buses. Increasing the number of buses is believed to be able to solve the problem of passenger discomfort. With a faster frequency of bus arrivals, no one would have to jostle to get onto the bus anymore.
Moreover, maintenance of the existing infrastructure must also be carried out. There should be no damaged bridge ramps, as this could endanger them. Similarly, the bridge barriers need to be maintained as well as possible, as they serve as directional guides for the visually impaired.
In conclusion, I am quite grateful for the TransJakarta bus system, which has adequately accommodated the needs of people with disabilities. Although many aspects still need improvement to ensure accessibility, comfort, and safety for people with disabilities, this facility has offered hope for increasingly friendly public transportation for them. May what is already in place continue to be improved to realize an inclusive Indonesian society.(DPM)