Unofficial Terminals Getting Rampant in West Jakarta

Approaching Eid ul Fitr, homecoming flow in the city is increasing. This can be marked from the presence of unofficial terminals in some locations. In West Jakarta, unofficial terminals can be found on Jalan Jembatan Besi, Jalan Kapuk Raya, and in front of Season City Mall.

Grogol Terminal is closed. So, many buses based here. This has been happening for a long time

For unofficial terminal on Jalan Jembatan Besi, the homecomers met there said the terminal exists due to limited inter-city inter-province (AKAP) bus transit time in Grogol Terminal as the official terminal serving homecoming flow. That is why those homecomers willingly wait for AKAP bus on roadside and under the sun.

“Grogol Terminal is closed. So, many buses based here. This has been happening for a long time,” said couple Mudjianto (50) and Suryati (45) who were heading to their hometown in Purwodadi, Central Java, Saturday (7/19).

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While on Jalan Kapuk Raya, the fact there are many factories there makes unofficial terminal exists. According to Indra (40), one of AKAP bus managers, in order to get passengers, his party had to base on this location because AKAP bus entering time to Grogol Terminal is being limited.

And based on beritajakarta.com observations in the fork in front of Season City Mall, two Dewi Sri AKAP buses routing Jakarta-Purwokerto were seen parking to wait for passengers.

Responding this matter, Head of Jakarta Transportation Department Terminal Technical Implementation Unit (UPT), Anton Parura, stressed that Grogol Terminal is opened round the clock starting seven days before Eid ul Fitr, precisely Sunday (7/20).

“The peak of homecomers usually happened starting D-7,” he stated.