(September 14, 2017) Institute for Transportation and Development (ITDP) Indonesia with our partners in Semarang City, the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) and Diponegoro University, on the 14th of September 2017 invite approximately three-dozen transportation officials, researcher and general public for a unique one-day forum group discussion to address the condition and challenges faced by the city of Semarang and its citizens regarding the city’s public transportation, specifically about the supply and demand of public transportations in Semarang, Jawa Tengah. The event aptly titled “FGD: Interaksi Antar Moda Transportasi di Semarang” or “FGD: Interactions between Modes of Transportation in Semarang”, in English.
This meeting and forum group discussion is a follow-up of field research and survey that ITDP Indonesia and IGES had done in the month of July 2017. The survey itself are covering the supply and demand of various modes of public transportation in Semarang City, specifically on the subject of Trans Semarang Buses. The discussion is divided into two sessions. The first sessions occurred in the morning focusing on the condition of public transportation in Semarang from the perspective of the operator of public transportation in Semarang, Trans Semarang Operator and its users. While the second sessions followed in the afternoon and opened by a representative from Semarang City Development Planning Agency and discussion are focusing on government official’s findings and inquires on the matter of the supply and demand of Semarang’s public transportations.
The day consisted of presentations and interactive discussions which identified: 1) the major ‘itches’ related to sustainable public transportation in Semarang; 2) important considerations to improve the quality of public transportation in Semarang; and 3) key actors in championing, funding, or implementing a sustainable transportation initiative in Semarang. Through the presentations and interactive discussion, many ideas emerged as potential areas that could be explored to improve the condition of public transportation in Semarang.
At the end of the discussion, ITDP Indonesia Country Director, Yoga Adiwinarto said at this stage ITDP Indonesia is still collecting preliminary findings while trying to validate and analyze its findings. He also said that ITDP Indonesia will make a recommendation and conceptual implemental plan with regarding BRT system for Semarang City by November 2017, this plan will complement and integrated into the existing Trans Semarang system. In addition, ITDP will also provide an input on traffic management issues surrounding Trans Semarang bus shelters. (Text: Karina Saraswati/ Pics: Hanna Pertiwi)