Frequent readers of this newspaper would recall a recent article supporting the development of the Trans Java highway. Given the expected headlines in the newspapers about the oh so long time it takes to reach one's kampong during the Lebaran period, it seems more daft for the government not to shift construction to the fifth gear.
The case is strengthened by the serial unreliability of the alternative modus of road transport, especially that of the trains. Derailed trains, accidents involving the daredevil passengers sitting on top of the coaches are a common occurence. It is feared that as the train activities pick up, the incidents become more frequent.
Therefore if the government still doubts about the return on their investment of the highway, they should start with a good feeling that by doing so, they have saved the lives of their citizens. Should this not be sufficient, surely a moral bancruptcy has occured.
Return of a more hedonistic nature are obviously still can be expected. If you look at the developed highway system of Europe for example, where your correspondent is mildly acquainted with, hotels, amusement parks, theme parks, petrol stations , all sprang up like mushroom in the wet season. These bring investment which begets employment and tax revenues. These in turn create the multiplier effect in both the national and the local economies. At the same time it encourages entrepreneurs to be more innovative in adjusting to this new phenomenon and compete for customers. So everybody wins, right ?
But the biggest winner will be people like you and me. Our travels will be safer, more relaxing and - hopefully- will spawn an industry of local winnebagos / RVs !
The case is strengthened by the serial unreliability of the alternative modus of road transport, especially that of the trains. Derailed trains, accidents involving the daredevil passengers sitting on top of the coaches are a common occurence. It is feared that as the train activities pick up, the incidents become more frequent.
Therefore if the government still doubts about the return on their investment of the highway, they should start with a good feeling that by doing so, they have saved the lives of their citizens. Should this not be sufficient, surely a moral bancruptcy has occured.
Return of a more hedonistic nature are obviously still can be expected. If you look at the developed highway system of Europe for example, where your correspondent is mildly acquainted with, hotels, amusement parks, theme parks, petrol stations , all sprang up like mushroom in the wet season. These bring investment which begets employment and tax revenues. These in turn create the multiplier effect in both the national and the local economies. At the same time it encourages entrepreneurs to be more innovative in adjusting to this new phenomenon and compete for customers. So everybody wins, right ?
But the biggest winner will be people like you and me. Our travels will be safer, more relaxing and - hopefully- will spawn an industry of local winnebagos / RVs !
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