The closing of Pasar Cipete intersection on Jalan Pangeran Antasari, South Jakarta, has complicated public transportation in passing on that route. As a result, many public transports pass residents’ settlements during rush hours to avoid congestion on Jalan Pangeran Antasari and Jalan Fatmawati Raya. Besides endangering residents’ safety, it is also causing excessive air pollution.

The residents become fretful since there are many schools in their settlements. It is so dangerous if buses passed, we afraid of accident happen to the children

“Indeed, since the intersection is closed, many metrominis and kopajas pass on this Jalan Haji Abu Cipete, especially in the morning and evening rush hours. The residents become fretful since there are many schools in their settlements. It is so dangerous if buses passed, we afraid of accident happen to the children ,” complained Haryadi (45), a resident of RT 06/07 Cipete Selatan, Thursday (5/22).

According to Haryadi, the public transports taking alternative routes are usually Kopaja S614 (Pasar Minggu-Cipulir), Kopaja P19 (Tanah Abang-Ragunan), and Kopaja S63 (Blok M-Depok).

“It is disturbing because it is noisy. The worst is the bus’ exhaust fume which already black. How such public transports still have permission to operate. We have discussed with the urban village party to report this matter immediately to Jakarta Transportation Department,” he uttered.

Responding residents’ complaint, Head of South Jakarta Transportation Sub-Department, Arifin Hamonangan, promised to send his men to control the traffic in that area. And if there were public transports found violating trajectories, they will be controlled.

“We have monitored it. In fact, there were three metrominis ticketed due to passing on settlement streets which are not their trajectories. If they were proven violating the rules, we will ground their vehicles,” he stated.