TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ambitious program of creating an urban drone taxi service called Ojek Terbang which was introduced by the Jakarta Deputy Governor-elect Sandiaga Uno or Sani has become viral. Sandiaga previously mentioned about the program during the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election campaign in early April.
“I hope [Sandiaga] wasn’t just talking. It has to be implemented,” said urban planning expert from Universitas Trisakti Nirwono Yoga on Thursday, October 12.
Sandiaga mentioned the program, which he said could be the solution to Jakarta’s severe traffic problem, at a Gubernatorial debate. The plan became viral on social media and Jakarta residents started to make fun of his program and turned it into a source of ridicule targeting both Sand and Jakarta Governor-elect Anies Baswedan.
The flying taxi solution was based on a drone technology developed by Dicky Dwi Triambudi from Tangerang. The early iteration of the drone could carry one adult and was able to hover two meters above ground. Dicky started developing his drone after being inspired by a similar program overseas that were funded by the government such as in the US and Japan.
Sandiaga responded to Dicky’s taxi drone by stating that such technology can be used as a solution to the traffic congestion in Jakarta. Sandiaga was quoted by oto.detik.com on April 6, saying, “That’s great for [technological advancement]. It surely can be a solution to traffic congestion.”
According to Nirwono, Sandiaga must realize the drone taxi program since Jakarta cannot compare itself anymore with other major cities in Indonesia. Instead, Nirwono suggested that Jakarta must look up to cities in developed countries in terms of public transportations. Nirwono believes that if such technology is implemented in Jakarta, the government can learn about the concept of air traffic management and can make it into a source of regional income.
Nirwono hopes that Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno will deliver all of their campaign promises in hopes of improving Jakarta. The pair is set to be inaugurated as Jakarta Governor and Deputy Governor on Monday, October 16.
DEWI NURITA
