New busway lanes to open in 2008

The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA: Three more busway corridors will operate in 2008, says the head of the transportation agency.

"The construction of corridors eight, nine and 10 will continue as planned and I hope they start operating in January 2008," the head of the city's transportation agency, Nurachman, said Wednesday at City Hall.

"We have prepared Rp 180 billion (US$19.7 million) for the project," he said, adding that there would be 60 stations along the three corridors.

Corridor eight will connect Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, to Harmoni, Central Jakarta, corridor nine will connect Pinang Ranti, East Jakarta and Pluit, North Jakarta, and corridor ten will link Cililitan, East Jakarta, and Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

The City Council had previously rejected the construction of corridor eight due to the vehicle density in that area.

Head of the City Council Ade Surapriyatna said Governor Sutiyoso had asked the council to continue with the project this year because a delay would hamper the busway network.

"But with one condition, the transportation agency should find an alternative route during the construction period so the traffic will not be disrupted," he said.