Jakarta traffic a headache<\/p>\n
I do not live in Jakarta and I do not envy those people who
\nhave to struggle every day to go to work by going through the
\nmost archaic and inefficient traffic system in the world.<\/p>\n
I have lived abroad for over 20 years and watched how
\ngovernments attempt to solve traffic problems in big cities.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, no one has succeeded yet in tackling the
\nproblems, be they are Americans, Europeans, Japanese, Chinese,
\nKoreans, Malaysians, Indonesians etc.<\/p>\n
Singaporeans appear to enjoy driving around the city better
\ncompared to other residents of metropolitan cities in the world.
\nPerhaps, we can learn something from them.<\/p>\n
The main problem a metropolitan city is built to accommodate
\nbusiness and not comfort, safety, and inhabitability. I must
\ndeclare that metropolitan cities are not suitable to live and
\nsocialize in for humans.<\/p>\n
The biggest problem in Jakarta is that there are too many cars
\nand too few efficient roads and streets. The application of a
\nmodern Western road system (including highways, toll roads,
\nsubways) seems to invite more people to own cars. People are
\nclever and ingenious in coming up with ways to beat traffic
\nsystems and regulations, including the three-in-one policy.<\/p>\n
My suggestion is to replace the three-in-one policy with a
\n\"motorcycle passage policy\", i.e. motorcycles are allowed to use
\nthe designated Jakarta thoroughfares during rush hours. This
\npolicy will encourage people to use motorcycles for commuting. I
\nrealize that motorcycles are the worst polluters, but at the same
\ntime, the most efficient form of transportation.<\/p>\n
I would opt declaring certain business zones to be free from
\nprivate cars, thus forcing people to use public transportation to
\nreach these areas. I would like to see bicycle paths built to
\ncrisscross business centers so that people can ride bikes to go
\nfrom and to their parked cars. Riding bikes is very healthy
\n(especially if you can breathe clean air).<\/p>\n
Buses are the worst form of public transportation. They are
\nfrequently overloaded and they cause traffic jams. A subway train
\nsystem can replace the aging bus system (although I do not know
\nhow long the system would last given the bad habit of Indonesians
\nto litter and deface public properties).<\/p>\n
In my opinion, there should be emphasis on developing public
\ntransportation policies and systems, and the government should
\nde-emphasize the facilitation of private traffic patterns.<\/p>\n
It is time for the city and road polluters to be punished
\nbecause they cause much discomfort, including health problems to
\nthe majority of people who live in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
It is also time for Indonesians to clean up the mess created
\nby the bad habits of ignorance and laziness. If you want to live
\nlonger and healthier: start living cleanly.<\/p>\n
KRISHNAHARI S. PRIBADI<\/p>\n
Cimahi, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-traffic-a-headache-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }