YOGYAKARTA – UGM transportation observer, Ir. Heru Sutomo, M. Sc, Ph.D, hoped that the government would be firm in implementing regulations that prohibit people to travel by motorcycle, because motorcycles can only carry a few number of travelers. In terms of safety, it is also very risky. "Yes, it’s a loss if we travel on a wide road by motorcycle that can only carry a few passengers. Safety wise, it is also quite risky," Heru said on Tuesday (7/9).
He said further that travel safety is not negotiable. He agreed with the government’s action that has previously banned trucks from carrying passengers. Similar step can be applied to motorcycles.
"Safety is not negotiable. Don’t escort motorcycles that go in groups. It is groups of buses that should actually be escorted," Heru added.
In that occasion, Heru also considered transportation arrangement for Lebaran (Eid) this year is still not optimal, which also happened last year. Road infrastructure in particular is still going to be a fundamental problem. It is still happening because construction work including street widening and improvement are implemented suddenly without careful planning. Heru said that this can not be separated from the late budget disbursement process.
"It is always late in terms of budgeting. One that is endorsed in January could be cleared in May. The project can only be carried out after this, so it is not effective. This should be changed and the fund can be disbursed immediately," said the lecturer of Department of Transportation Systems Engineering Magister Program of Faculty of Engineering, UGM.
Due to the late budgeting every year, infrastructure improvement, especially on roads, is also late. This often happens closer to Lebaran, which causes traffic jam, even accidents.
"This indicates that, indeed, there has been no significant change, especially in our road infrastructure," he explained. In his view, means of transportation that are possible to be developed as they are cheap, safe and comfortable are train, airplane and bus. For now, most of the railway lines are already double track such as those on Solo-Yogya, Yogya-Kutoarjo, Kutoarjo-Kroya to Kroya-Cirebon tracks. However, there are not many railway wagons that have been added on.
"The line is good, but the number of wagons should be added. That’s why the private sector needs to come in to develop the train," he added.
Heru added that flight is also quite easy to handle. For example, to increase the number of aircraft could easily be done under rental system from foreign airlines, such as those in Japan or Europe. It is relatively easier compared to sea transportation. For buses, we need to think about making multistoried buses such as those abroad.
"We can rent or hire purchase as have been done in some of our state companies. It is relatively easy compared to, for example, ship procurement," said the doctoral graduate from Leeds University, United Kingdom.