Burden of commuting

Burden of commuting

According to Law No. 38/2004 on roads, evaluation and
adjustment of road tolls is made once every two years based on
the rate of inflation. This means that the increase in road tolls
is legal as the words 'evaluation' and 'adjustment' in paragraph
three of the law is meant to accommodate such increases.

Even as the tolls get higher road users still have to endure
poor service daily. Complaints about congestion on toll roads
continue, and the toll road management company, PT Jasa Marga,
seems unable or incapable of doing anything about it.

Frankly, congestion on toll roads is caused mainly by the fact
that most of the roads to and from the city turnpikes are
constantly congested. This situation contradicts the basic
purpose of toll roads, which are supposed to ease traffic flows
and boost economic growth. Despite the above, however, it is
imperative that PT Jasa Marga provide a better service for their
customers.

While complaining about congestion on toll roads, drivers are
becoming aware of the burden they are bearing for being on the
roads. The steady increase in fuel prices has forced them to
grope deeper into their pockets, while constant traffic
congestion has forced them to spend more time on the road, mostly
stationary.

Studies show that billions of rupiah are lost every single day
due to traffic congestion. Toll roads are no exception.

The ailing city road network is simply groaning under the
weight of ever-increasing traffic. Motorists must brace
themselves to confront ever more frenetic traffic whenever they
leave their houses to go to work every morning or go home in the
evening. There are very few roads that are not free from
congestion. Traffic violations are rampant with traffic police
doing nothing to punish unruly motorists. In fact, police are
often the culprits. There are many times when police cars can be
seen parked on road sides despite the existence of no-parking
signs.

Street crime is yet another matter that must be taken into
account by motorists.

The daily misery on the roads indicates that the capital, with
12 million people, 8,000 kilometers of roads, 4.5 million
motorcycles and 2 million cars, has no clear concept of traffic
control.
Undoubtedly, the high number of traffic accidents is unavoidable
in such circumstances.

Many say that the culture of a people is reflected in their
behavior on the road. In Indonesia, people have a lack of empathy
with other road users. Unruly motorists jumping from lane to lane
and driving on the wrong side of the road have become
commonplace. Ignoring traffic lights is now a national tradition.
But all these inconsiderate actions violate other users' rights.

Efforts made by the administration to cope with the traffic
enigma have yet to bear fruit. The 'three-in-one' policy, in
which every car must carry at least three people when passing
certain roads during certain hours, has done very little to
relieve traffic flows. The busway system with its TransJakarta
buses has not yet induced people to leave their cars at home.
TransJakarta buses are in fact packed mostly with people who used
to use other forms of public transportation, rather than private
car owners.

Most people are unhappy about the burdensome trips they have
to make every day due to the higher road tolls, more expensive
fuel and the sheer time wasted due to congestion. Nonetheless,
vehicle ownership increases from year to year. Car exhibitions
always attract thousands of people wanting to buy brand new cars
and motorcycles.

Recent reports say that the number of cars grows by seven
percent per year and motorcycles by 15 percent annually, and this
has contributed to the worsening traffic situation in the
capital. Is there something wrong with people? Perhaps, but in
the absence of decent, comfortable and safe public
transportation, private transportation becomes the only logical
alternative.

It is indeed time for citizens to put political pressure on
the administration to realize the establishment of a mass rapid
transit (MRT) system. Delaying the establishment of MRT means
keeping the city, its economy and its population in a state of
perpetual gridlock.