No sweat in Jakarta's 'macet'

ENDLESS TRAFFIC: Despite the gridlock, life goes on in this ever busy city

TRAFFIC jams are synonymous with Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. Locally termed macet, it is among the first encounters that leave a lasting impression on visitors as they move around the metropolitan city of more than 10 million people.

The number of vehicles on the highways, streets and even back alleys would leave many shaking their heads in wonder, but what is even more fascinating is how the people go about their daily affairs without batting an eyelid, despite the gridlock.

Unlike other metropolitan cities, which see a gridlock only during the morning and evening peak hours, Jakarta's macet lasts a whole day. It starts as early as 6am and continues until 11pm daily. The situation eases somewhat during the weekends.

About the only time the city is devoid of cars is during the annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri exodus, when most make their way home to the provinces.

Despite the presence of the Jakarta Inner Ring Road Expressway to ease commuters entering the city centre, the macet remains a part and parcel of daily travel. Buses, private vehicles and taxis add to the endless sea of vehicles clogging the streets of Jakarta.

The infamous macet, has, however, seen the authorities and individuals coming up with innovative ways of daily travel.

In 2011, the Transjakarta Busway was introduced to speed up public transportation and enable commuters to get to their destination fast via dedicated bus lanes, which connect the city centre to the outer regions such as Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Bojonggede, Bogor and Serpong.

Bajaj, or the three-wheeled Indonesian version of Thailand's tuk-tuk, is another way of getting around in Jakarta.

But one of the fastest ways to move around Jakarta is via the ojek, or motorcycle-taxi. Travelling in a four- or three-wheeled vehicle from Jakarta to the east, west, south, north and central would take between two and three hours, but with the ojek, which speedily weaves in and around the vehicles and gets one to his destination in almost half the time.

The gridlock has also seen numerous entrepreneurs taking to the street selling their wares at strategic junctions of the city. One does not have to leave the comfort of one's vehicle as the traders manoeuvre Jakarta's maze of streets.

Out of the blue, a trader will weave in an out of the stagnant traffic selling bottles of mineral water, toys, magazines, books, snacks and even inflatable beds -- meaning you can get everything while being stranded in Jakarta's macet.

Besides the traders, you also see get to see the handicapped literally using their "arms and limbs", or lack of them, to earn a living on the busy streets.

Then, there are the "traffic coordinators", who suddenly turn up at crucial junctions to "direct" the traffic flow. As soon as they are done, they approach a motorist, with their palms up, for a token.

For Jakarta and its citizens, necessity is the mother of invention, for they have managed to create a life despite the complexities of modern life.

Sumber : http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/no-sweat-in-jakarta-s-macet-1.303614