Sir, I’d like to deliver you a question I’m sure you’ve heard time and time again. Don’t get bored since there are literally hundreds of your citizens asking the same question. What is your plan to improve Jakarta’s ailing transportation network, Sir? You were a part of previous administrator, thus I assume you do posses a deep understanding on this problem. Now that you’ve achieved the position as a Governor, surely your voters are looking forward for improvement. And unfortunately, they want it fast.
I’m aware that to improve transportation networks takes a lengthy time as well as sufficient budget, of which you apparently have none. Within these constraints, I don’t think revolutionary steps can be taken. Instead, I’m willing to follow one baby step at a time given that those steps are well timed and coordinated. But so far, timing and coordination are qualities that you and your apparatus have yet to demonstrate.
Recently you’ve planned to increase taxes on new vehicle purchases. I can see where you’re going. By imposing higher tax, you’d expect people to keep their current vehicle or to use public transportation. But do you realize that most workers drive their own vehicle because they are forced to? It’s not that they don’t want to use public transportation, but this city is not well known for its friendly transportation fleet. On the contrary, it is one of the worst nightmares in Jakarta.
And please don’t claim busway as your achievement in solving clogged transportation. Busway itself has been clogged by too many commuters. Sure, you can see it as an achievement, that busway is well promoted and now being used by many people. But put yourself in our shoes. Try queuing in one shelter, without your usual bodyguards of course, and have a first hand experience how waiting for busway is another physically demanding job. And we have to face that every single day after 7 hours of work.
Railway lines are never your priority. Quite a shame, since those steel horses exist long before you rose to the power. The facilities are poor, that’s for sure, owing to the lack of proper maintenance. But if you develop the system, one small improvement followed by others, I don’t think it’ll be useless.
And stop entertaining us with grandiose plans such as monorails and subways; they are too far fetched with our current capacity. It is important to have a plan a system, but maintenances and improvement are other issues to be given a thought. And again, those two requirements are not something your administration can deliver until now.
You, Mr. Governor, of all people chose to avoid taking road networks to go into one particular meeting. While you have the privilege of fore riders, you took a flight instead of driving your car. What about us? How could that be a good example? Are you telling us that if we don’t like the road we shall go up in the air? If so, it’s only a matter of time before the sky is clogged with helicopters, and micro planes.
In the end, I have to admit that being a citizen means that I have very limited, if any, power to influence decisions I deem necessary for my city, for me in particular. It’s a bit unfair, don’t you think? I work 5 days a week, pay taxes on every single purchase I made, but your administration doesn’t have the slightest idea on how to return the favor.
Sir, 5 years might be a long time, but certainly not for an administration. I suggest you and your apparatus move with haste and help your voters with one small step after another.
