New Challenge for Sandiaga Uno: Ojek Drivers Flocking Tanah Abang

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno is facing a new challenge. Motorcycle taxis (ojek) are congesting the side of the road of Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta. The administration has earlier banned street vendors and ojek from the sidewalks in the area. Only a third of the road is left since the rest is being occupied by ojek drivers.

“We cannot park on the sidewalk so we park on the side of the road,” an ojek driver told Tempo yesterday, Nov. 24, at Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta.

Consequently, the street is congested with ojek drivers and ‘angkot’ minivans. Not to mention that some road users were traveling against the flow of the traffic, making pedestrian feel uncomfortable.

Tempo observed that ojek drivers were flocking at the station exit when passengers were disembarking the train. “I don’t feel comfortable with their presence,” says railway passenger Renny, 25.

Renny said that ojek drivers sometimes swear at those who refuse to use their services. “It feels like they are mad at me.”

Sandiaga Uno himself was earlier being scolded by an ojek driver for reminding the latter not to travel against the flow of the traffic.

Renny is hopeful the government will find a solution to make pedestrian feel comfortable. 

Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said that he has taken several steps to manage Tanah Abang Market. An alternative has been proposed to close the road and allow street vendors and pedestrian to use it.

However, Sandiaga Uno has yet to confirm the alternative and said that he had an out of the box concept to ensure that jobs will not disappear. State-owned railway company PT KAI said that it has coordinated with the Jakarta administration to address Tanah Abang mess due to street vendors. “The concept is still being discussed,” PT KAI official Suprapto told Tempo in a phone interview.

DEWI NURITA