[sustran] Re: Jakarta busway opens new corridors

[John Ernst]

Paul, I can respond to some of your questions....

At 12:59 AM 1/26/2006, Paul Barter wrote:
>...> "As it is, the integrated ticketing system for both feeder
> > buses and the busway does not work properly. In my
> > experience, after buying the higher-priced tickets,
> > conductors on the feeder buses still demand a fare because
> > they do not recognize the integrated ticket," he 
> said.  {Darmaningtiyas, of Intrans and ITDP Indonesias}
>Can anyone who knows the project explain more about how the 
>integrated ticketing was supposed to work and reasons for it going wrong?

After constructing the first BRT corridor, Jakarta attempted to use 
existing bus routes to serve as "feeder" buses by selling an 
additional paper ticket with the BRT (busway) ticket for a slightly 
discounted price.  This paper ticket was then to be given instead of 
fare to the "feeder" bus conductor.

The primary problem in the function of these tickets was/is that the 
bus operators do not trust they will get money when they turn in the 
tickets to the government.  (As this has been going on for almost 
2-years, I assume it is a persistent problem.)

The vast majority of buses in Jakarta are private, and many of them 
are rented to the operators on a daily cash basis.  Any delay in 
getting fares causes considerable problems for the operators, so they 
frequently just refuse to accept the paper "feeder" tickets.

>In some ways I find it impressive and ambitious that they even tried 
>to introduce integrated ticketing given that the regulatory 
>framework for buses in Jakarta (from what little I know) seems an 
>unlikely context for integrated ticketing reforms.  Can anyone say 
>more on this?

Yes, you're right.  There is a lot of work to be done to improve the 
regulatory framework for the non-BRT buses in Jakarta.  TransJakarta 
tried a simple approach of selling a paper fare coupon without 
becoming entangled in route licensing.  It hasn't worked.  As the BRT 
expands, there is increasing need to rethink the non-BRT bus routes 
so that they can better complement the BRT system.  Jakarta has an 
advantage in that there is a general under-supply of buses, so 
reallocation is theoretically possible.  There are considerable 
issues in terms of the transparency of the route allocation process.

>Given the existing regulatory context, does anyone have any 
>suggestions on how to improve integration (eg ease of transfers, 
>cheaper or free transfers) in public transort in Jakarta? Would the 
>regulation system have to change in order to achieve better integration?

One issue that has to be addressed is the quality of service on many 
of the non-BRT buses in Jakarta.  The contrast to the BRT is so stark 
in some cases, that many BRT passengers would not consider riding the 
regular buses.

Also, Jakarta has been looking at improving their current contactless 
fare card system and expanding it with readers on the regular buses 
(as has been implemented in cities such as Hong Kong and Sao 
Paulo).  This allows a variety of fare integration possibilities, but 
surely challenging to implement.

>  Finally, how imporatant does everyone think integration is for 
> public transport in low to middle-income cities, like Jakarta? Is 
> it a luxury for higher-income places or is it fundamental to the 
> improvement of public transport?

Fare-integration seems more essential in lower-income areas, where a 
non-integrated fare is more of a burden on the passenger.

John


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John Ernst   -  Director, Asia Region
    ITDP - The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
Promoting environmentally sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide
  Visit http://www.itdp.org

Tel: +1 (347) 694-4771   Fax: +1 (801) 365-5914    Skype: john.ernst
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