Residents Share Stories about Ride on Jakarta LRT Together with President Prabowo
President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday (09/16), accompanied by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, tried out Jakarta’s newly-inaugurated light rapid transit (LRT) serving the route from Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta to Manggarai in South Jakarta. On that occasion, a number of students, elderlies, and persons with disabilities also joined the tryout.
Ajat Sudrajat, a representative of the National Public Accessibility Movement (GAUN), an Indonesian organization that advocates for disability-friendly public infrastructure and equal accessibility rights, said that the Jakarta LRT already provides great service for and accommodates persons with disabilities in terms of its facilities and staff service.
In the event, he had the opportunity to have conversation with President Prabowo regarding the LRT’s accessibility and the Free Service Card issued for eligible groups to ride public transportation in Jakarta for free. He shared his opinion that both the LRT’s accessibility and service are already good, despite some minor shortcomings.
“Mr. President asked me whether I have received the Free Service Card or not. Alhamdulillah, I have,” Ajat said, and then expressed hope that public transportation will become more accessible in the future to support an inclusive city.
In the meantime, Hesti and Widi, elderlies from Kebayoran Baru, expressed their excitement at trying out the LRT with President Prabowo, especially because they had the chance to sit right in front of the President and speak with him directly during the journey.
“It’s really like a dream. I have never dreamed before that I would have the chance to meet the President in person, as I had only seen him on television and on the news,” Hesti said.
Hesti hoped that public transportation development will also take the needs of the elderly into account, including elevators for easy access at stations.
Similar sentiment was also echoed by Fadhil and Nasya, two students from State Junior High School SMPN 270 Jakarta. They said that it was their first time riding the Jakarta LRT. During the journey, they also had the opportunity to speak directly with President Prabowo. They expressed their appreciation for the Jakarta LRT and for the Government’s initiatives to build the public transportation.
“We are definitely very happy. It’s comfortable, exciting, cool, and clean,” said Fadhil. He further expressed expectation that the transportation project can run well. Meanwhile, Nasya hoped that the public transportation is continually improved to make it better and more advanced. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/TM)
