[sustran] Becak-the threecycle- is back in Jakarta

[Bambang Susantono]

Dear all,

Two days ago the Governor of Jakarta announced that the becak
(three-wheelers, human pedaled) is now allowed to be operated in
Metropolitan Jakarta. This measure is taken to respond to the huge
unemployment problems in Jakarta which already triggered several mass
upheavals and bloody riots in the last few weeks.

Today, Jakarta's neighborhood has already been [again] served by becaks.
Jakarta banned the becak in the late 1970s. Some 50,000 becaks were
dumped to the Jakarta Bay during the early 80s. Despite its superiority
in providing services as feeders of transits, becak was seen by the
government to be incompatible with modern urban life and the main
obstacle to the smooth flow of urban traffic. 

The low income, especially the women, praised this policy. Is the
current economic crisis a "blessing in disguise" for transportation
planners in Jakarta? Might be! but till today the vanpooling increases
and traffic jams ease from several corridors.


Bambang Susantono
CAL, Berkeley