'My neighbors ride with me to work'<\/p>\n
The city administration unveiled last week its plan to extend the
\nthree-in-one traffic regulation, but experts say that a well-
\nplanned and comprehensive transportation system would be far more
\neffective in alleviating the city's severe traffic problems.
\nUnder the three-in-one policy, vehicles with fewer than three
\npassengers have not been allowed to enter the restricted zone.
\nThis has created a job opportunity for people, known as joki, who
\noffer themselves as passengers for a small fee. The Jakarta Post
\nasked city residents to comment on the issue.<\/p>\n
Mia Korompis, 34, works for a multinational water company on
\nJl. Jenderal Sudirman, South Jakarta. She lives in Depok, West
\nJava, with her husband and two children:<\/p>\n
I think that implementation of the three-in-one policy isn't
\nreally that effective, as it doesn't reduce traffic congestion.<\/p>\n
No alternative routes exist that you could take to avoid
\ntraffic jams in the city. I prefer to enter the restricted zone
\nhere as the others routes are also clogged up with vehicles. It
\nwould take longer and waste both time and energy.<\/p>\n
So, every day I hire a joki to ride in my car so that I can
\nenter the zone. I spend Rp 3,000 on the joki. I was once fined by
\na policeman over the violation and bribed him Rp 20,000.<\/p>\n
Honestly, I wish that someday I could use public
\ntransportation, provided that it were convenient, punctual, safe,
\nclean and comfortable. I would welcome such a facility with open
\narms! The cost wouldn't be a problem. But I wonder when Jakarta
\nwill have such comfortable, public transportation?<\/p>\n
It's therefore no wonder that many Jakartans buy their own car
\nin an attempt to enjoy a comfy ride, despite severe traffic jams.<\/p>\n
The city administration shouldn't be singled out for blame in
\nthis matter, though. I would, instead, highlight the absence of
\npublic awareness on how to maintain public facilities.<\/p>\n
I think the city administration would be better advised to
\nraise public awareness and then provide safe and attractive
\npublic transportation. It would take time, but it would benefit
\neveryone, rather than imposing ineffective policies.<\/p>\n
Meriem Roy, 45, is the public relations manager at Hotel
\nIndonesia, Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Meruya,
\nWest Jakarta, with her husband.<\/p>\n
I think that, in principle, the rule should alleviate traffic
\nproblems in the city. Unfortunately, most motorists entering the
\nrestricted zone use joki.<\/p>\n
I would prefer to see the practice outlawed as, in a way, it
\nobstructs those who must enforce the policy. Besides, it also
\nattracts jobless people to work as joki.<\/p>\n
So, implementation of the rule has not really been effective
\ndue to a lack of motorist awareness. Traffic congestion therefore
\nstill occurs in the restricted zone at peak hours.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I can understand that well-off people
\nprefer to travel in their own cars because they cannot rely on
\npublic transportation. Public buses, even the ones with air-
\nconditioning, are now in such a state! So how can we possibly
\nfeel either safe or comfortable, with public transportation as it
\nis?<\/p>\n
As I'm afraid of becoming a victim of street crime, I never
\nhire joki. Some of my neighbors take a ride in my car (to go to
\nwork also) so that I don't need to use joki on my journey to
\nwork.<\/p>\n
I think that the city administration should impose strict
\npenalties in a bid to ensure adherence to the three-in-one
\nregulation, so that motorists -- like it or not -- will comply
\nwith it.<\/p>\n
Yuli, 13, is a joki who offers herself as a passenger on the
\napproach to the three-in-one traffic zone from Blok M to Ratu
\nPlaza, South Jakarta. She lives in a residential institution in
\nKebayoran, South Jakarta, with her friends:<\/p>\n
I've enjoyed being a joki so far. If the regulation is
\nextended, it will mean more work for me.<\/p>\n
It's much better for me, rather than hanging around or doing
\nnothing at home; anyway, I quit school years ago.<\/p>\n
Usually I can earn Rp 15,000 to Rp 20,000 per day, from 6 to
\n10 in the morning. Normally I can earn that from an average of
\nfour trips. I take a public bus to return to the original pickup
\npoint.<\/p>\n
I have a few loyal clients who always let me ride in their
\ncar. They are usually quite generous, as they can give me up to
\nRp 10,000. One even offered to support me financially if I was
\nwilling to return to school but I declined, as I felt
\nembarrassed, especially as I'm getting a bit old now.<\/p>\n
However, I must always be on the lookout for city public order
\nofficials. I've already been arrested seven times and the foster
\nparents where I live have paid a total of Rp 500,000 to get me
\nreleased.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/my-neighbors-ride-with-me-to-work-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }