Maria Gabrielle, Jakarta – Pramono Anung has unveiled plans to revive a waterway transport system as part of his campaign platform if elected Governor of Jakarta.
Pramono said that the concept of a waterway is not new, referencing its initial proposal during former Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's tenure in 2007. "This is not a new program, but it has yet to be fully implemented. The idea of a waterway was already in place during Sutiyoso's administration," he said on Tuesday.
Pramono's vision differs from Sutiyoso's previous implementation. The earlier waterway, which operated in 2007, covered a 1.7 km route between Halimun and Karet. Although it aimed to ease traffic congestion, it ceased operations after a year due to physical, social, and environmental issues.
Pramono's proposed waterway system seeks to connect North Jakarta to the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu). To reach the Thousand Islands, an archipelago located north of Jakarta, you can take a boat or public ferry from North Jakarta.
He proposes that scheduled transport services could be managed by regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) or other relevant entities, enhancing connectivity between the Thousand Islands, North Jakarta, and West Jakarta.
"The current service lacks proper scheduling, which is why we are including the waterway system as a key program," Pramono explained.
He added that regular inter-island transport could make the Thousand Islands a more attractive tourist destination.