Universitas Gadjah Mada in cooperation with Yogyakarta Provincial Government in the near future will realize the use of UGM student identity card as Trans Jogja bus ticket. This is based on a survey conducted on 500 students, related to the use of vehicle and the possibility of using Trans Jogja as transportation means to the campus.
According to transportation expert, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Ahmad Munawar, M.Sc, the result of survey shows the transportation means used by students currently are mainly by motorcycle: 81.20%, walking (9.20%), car (3.20%), bus (2.20%) and other (0.6%). Students mostly live around Kaliurang street in the Southern part of the Ring Road (47,1%), Kaliurang Street in the Northern part of the Ring Road (11,80%), to the north of Affandi Street (8,1%), around the Ring Road between UPN and Condong Catur (4,5%) and Kesehatan Street near Sardjito Hospital (3,7%).
“From the samples, the possibility for them to use Trans Jogja with maximum distance of bus stop to their residence is 400 m (11.24%). Meanwhile, if there are additional bus stops and improvement of route, the figure can increase to 33.49%,” he said on UGM campus, Tuesday (9/8).
As Team Leader of the Cooperation on the use of UGM student identity card as ticket of Trans Jogja, Ahmad Munawar explained that the use of ID card is to support the increase in public transport use in Yogyakarta Province. Besides, it is also to create UGM as educopolis campus. UGM even has formed a team to study the possibility of using UGM student ID card as ticket of Trans Jogja. “It is possible, because both cards have similarity, UGM student ID card and Trans Jogja ticket have the same system as smart card,” he explained.
This program will support ticket integrity program among Trans Batik Solo, Pramex and Trans Jogja which is according to the plan will be officially launched by Vice Minister of Transportation by the end of September 2011. “Symbolically, Vice Minister of Transportation in the inauguration will use Trans Jogja from the Airport to UGM. He will continue the trip riding the blue bike around several streets on UGM campus,” he said.
Studies about the use of UGM student ID card as Trans Jogja ticket were presented in front of Yogyakarta Governor on 8 August 2011 at Gadri Building, Kepatihan, Yogyakarta. These have yet to wait for agreement on the tariff. UGM proposed three options, monthly system (Rp100,000 a month), Semester system (Rp400,000 a semester) and subscription system (50 uses is Rp100,000).
Related to this tariff, the Transportation, Communication and Information Board of Yogyakarta continues to do research. If the monthly or semester system is agreed, by paying some money, UGM students will be able to use Trans Jogja bus wherever they go at any times in the period that has been determined. This system certainly is not only for new students, but also senior students. Even, lecturers and staff are expected to utilize the smart card for public transport in Yogyakarta. “With such system, other universities are expected to follow UGM in the campaign to use public transport to overcome traffic jam and create free-pollution environment. Therefore, UGM proposed the addition of buses, bus stops and long-term route,” Ahmad Munawar explained.