City-owned bus operator Transjakarta has recorded an increasing number of passengers on routes to MRT stations in Lebak Bulus and Fatmawati, South Jakarta, since they started operating a month ago.

“It’s very good. People have been using public transportation, especially Transjakarta services, to reach Lebak Bulus and Fatmawati stations,” Transjakarta operational director Daud Joseph said on Monday as quoted by Kompas.com.

The increase is quite impressive, Daud added, considering that it could also be seen in routes using Royaltrans buses, which costs Rp 20,000 (US$1.4) per person per trip.

Royaltrans is a premium bus service offered to encourage car owners from Greater Jakarta to use public transportation. The service is now available in Bekasi, West Java, and South Tangerang in Banten.

Daud pointed to a service from Bintaro, South Tangerang, to Fatmawati as an example as it used to carry one or two passengers during its first days of operation.

“But now the bus is full. Some passengers even have to wait for the next bus,” he said.

Should the number of passengers continue to increase in the following weeks, Transjakarta would consider adding more buses for routes connecting the MRT stations with Jakarta’s neighboring cities.

Fikri, a Royaltrans bus driver for the Fatmawati-Bintaro route, echoed Joseph’s sentiments and said he now transports more passengers on his bus compared to several weeks ago.

“Morning trips are the busiest; everyone goes to the MRT station. But it’s not that crowded in the afternoon. Maybe people go home at different times,” Fikri said. (vla)