City Expert Reveals Effective Way to Reduce Congestion in Jakarta

VIVA – Congestion in Jakarta is increasing every year, which also pollution condition in Jakarta is getting worse. There are many ways that the government has tried to deal with this congestion, one is electronic traffic control. However, the city expert has a different point of view to reduce congestion.

The Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta had previously implemented the 3-in-1 system, but this method was considered less than ideal to overcome traffic jams. Then an even-odd-based traffic control system was implemented, the results of which were sufficient to reduce traffic congestion even though it was not optimal.

Currently, the Jakarta Government will implement an electronic traffic control system, better known as Electronic Road Pricing (ERP). From the draft of the Jakarta Provincial Regulation on Electronic Traffic Control, it is known that 25 points will be used as paid roads.

The ERP implementation time is every day, starting at 5 am in Western Indonesian Time until 10 pm in Western Indonesian Time. This rule will apply to all types of private motorized vehicles, both cars and motorcycles.

However, the city expert, Yayat Supriyatna said that the ERP system is not considered to be able to reduce congestion in Jakarta optimally.

"ERP cannot be a guarantee (to reduce) congestion for the entire urban area, ERP can only help in certain sections and certain hours," Yayat Supriyatna explained.

According to Yayat, the traffic congestion in Jakarta can be reduced by maximizing public transport, especially its coverage and facilities and services.

"Congestion can be reduced, if the mobility of public transport users increases and services are integrated and have covered existing settlement system services," Yayat Supriyatna stated.

ERP is only limited to helping reduce congestion, not reducing the number of middles- and upper-class citizens to move to public transportation, Yayat explains.

"ERP is also still debated, whether the payment is tax or non-tax state revenue. The rule of law must be emphasized," he concluded.