Jakarta – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Tuesday inaugurated the operation of bus services named the "Jabodetabek Airport Connexion (JA Connexion)," connecting Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten and a number of hotels and shopping malls in Greater Jakarta.
He expressed hope that many people would ride the buses to ease traffic congestions on the roads heading to the airport. About 150,000 passengers pass through Soekarno-Hatta airport each day.
"We provide people with mass transportation services as alternatives [of taxis]," said the minister at the airport on Tuesday as reported by tribunnews.com, adding that the buses were of high quality.
He expressed hope that the Jakarta Transportation Management Body (BPTJ) and its operators would increase the number of buses to 400 by the end of this year, from 91 buses at present.
The buses stop at upmarket hotels in the city, including Hotel Indonesia, Hotel Borobudur, Hotel Alila, Hotel Luminor, Hotel Sari Pan Pacific, Hotel Aryaduta, Hotel Grand Cemara, Hotel Ibis Tamarin, Hotel Milenium, Hotel Grand Sahid Jaya, Hotel Ascot, Hotel Amaris Thamrin City, Hotel Aston Sentul City, Hotel Sahid Jaya Lippo Cikarang and Hotel Mall BTM Bogor.
They also stop at several shopping centers, including Mall Taman Anggrek, Mall Plaza Senayan, Mall ITC Cempaka Mas, Mall Kelapa Gading, Mall Thamrin City, Tanah Abang Market, Mall BTM Bogor and Mall Grand Indonesia.
The bus fare is Rp 25,000 (US$1.88) from shopping centers to the airport and Rp 50,000 from the airport to shopping centers during the promotion period. (bbn)