Motorists May Exploit Loopholes

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A traffic sign informs drivers about the odd-even number plate system at the Fatmawati intersection in South Jakarta, Monday (12/8/2019). Besides dissemination of the policy through leaflets, a number of permanent signs, banners and electronic information boards have been installed in areas where the restriction has been expanded.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government is urged to consider motorists exploiting loopholes that may render the odd-even traffic scheme ineffective, such as the availability of online ride-hailing and taxi order services.

Jakarta Transportation Council (DTKJ) expert Tory Damantoro said that Jakarta’s odd-even traffic scheme was an anomaly as the most dominant mode of transportation, namely motorcycles, was exempted from it. As a result, the policy was deemed to be ineffective. “Abroad, there are not many motorbikes. If it is exempted from the policy, the impact will not be significant,” Tory said on Monday (12/8/2019).

Government Regulation (PP) No. 32/2011 on traffic engineering and management already limits the number of motorcycles in Jakarta.

Tarumanagara University transportation division head Leksmono Suryo Putranto said that the inclusion of motorcycles in the odd-even traffic scheme required increased monitoring efforts from law enforcers due to the significant amount of motorcycles. Furthermore, the policy will be in effect for nine hours, namely from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Jakarta requires an automatic system, such as the electronic road pricing (ERP). The central government must immediately solve all problems related to ERP. The odd-even traffic scheme is good as a transitional policy but it cannot be permanent as it relies on law enforcers’ vigilance,” Leksmono explained.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

An electronic information board belonging to the Jakarta Transportation Agency is seen Monday (12/08/2019) at the Fatmawati junction in South Jakarta to inform drivers about road restrictions through the odd-even license plate number system. Besides handing out leaflets, authorities are also informing motorists about the expanded policy through permanent signs, banners and electronic information boards installed in the affected areas.

With respect to ride-hailing services, Leksmono said that the existing regulation, namely the inclusion of private vehicles used in the services in the odd-even traffic scheme, was good. “It is a consequence for those who use private vehicle plates. If they want to be exempted from the odd-even traffic scheme, they should use yellow [public transportation] license plates,” he said.

If special stickers are provided for ride-hailing services, this may lead to potential fraud, such as illegal duplications of the stickers.

Leksmono said that an expansion of the city’s Jak Lingko service as a feeder to public transportation as well as sidewalk repairs were two urgent matters. If necessary, the Jakarta administration should create bicycle lanes or provide bike subscription services combined with public transportation services. This will help locals reach the nearest bus stops or train stations more easily.

At City Hall, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that there was a plan to mark cars used in ride-hailing services to make them exempt from the odd-even traffic scheme, as they were seen as public transportation.

Anies said that private vehicles used as public transportation would be given marks. “Now, we are preparing [these marks] so that vehicles used in ride-hailing transportation services can be exempted,” Anies said.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

An officer of the Jakarta Transportation Agency distributes leaflets at the Fatmawati junction in South Jakarta on Monday (12/08/2019) to inform motorists about the plan to expand road restrictions through the odd-even license plate number system. Besides handing out leaflets, authorities are also informing drivers about the expanded policy through permanent signs, banners and electronic information boards installed in the affected areas.

He said that the trial period for the expansion of areas affected by the odd-even traffic scheme would be used to find out potential problems, for which solutions would be sought.

Socialization

During the socialization period of the odd-even traffic scheme’s expansion, officers distributed brochures on 16 roads that will be included in the expanded scheme.

West Jakarta Traffic Police chief Comr. Hari Admoko said that vehicles with license plates that violate the scheme would be diverted to roads unaffected by the scheme. This traffic diversion will only be done during the socialization period.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

An officer of the Jakarta Transportation Agency briefs a motorist at the Fatmawati junction, South Jakarta, about a plan to expand road restrictions through the odd-even license plate number system, Monday (12/08/2019). Besides handing out leaflets, authorities are also informing drivers about the expanded policy through permanent signs, banners and electronic information boards installed in the affected areas.

Jakarta Transportation Agency law enforcement section head August Fabian said that motorists would not be able to avoid the odd-even traffic scheme through alternative routes. “There used to be alternative routes to avoid the traffic scheme but now, there is not anymore,” he said. (IRE/DEA/AYU/DAN/BOW/ART)