'Car ownership limitation not a good policy'

'Car ownership limitation not a good policy'

Governor Sutiyoso warned the public early this year that, in 10
more years, traffic would virtually be at a standstill in
Jakarta, if the rich kept on buying new cars. However, recent
data from the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers
(Gaikindo) shows that while 354,311 cars were sold last year,
this year's sales target reaches 420,000 units. The Jakarta Post
talked to some residents about the issue.

Santosa, 39, is the employee of a private company. He lives
with his family in Serpong, Tangerang but his office is on Jl.
Sudirman in Central Jakarta.

To buy a car is a person's right. That's why I disagree if
there is a limitation on car ownership to ease traffic
congestion. I don't think it's a good policy.

If the government wants to resolve the problem of traffic
congestion, it must provide suitable public transportation for
commuters. People prefer to drive their cars as public transport
is not reliable.

I prefer to park my car at home as, although it's crowded, I
go to work on the train.

I take the Sudirman executive train, which departs from
Serpong and ends up in Manggarai (South Jakarta). The only
problem is that the train is often late as the railway track is a
single one.

Mujadi, 30, works at a computer shop in Glodok, West Jakarta.
He lives with his family in Sudimara, Tangerang:

I don't think the government can ban people from buying cars.
Since I can't afford to buy a car, the policy on car production
limitation is not relevant to me anyway. However, I support the
policy, if it goes ahead, as it is very important to ease traffic
congestion. There wouldn't be as many cars on the streets.

However, we must also question whether the rich are actually
prepared to travel by train or board public buses. I don't think
so.

Perhaps the government should impose higher taxes for car
owners, if it wants to discourage people from buying cars.

At the same time, the government must also provide more
comfortable public transportation, including commuter trains
serving Greater Jakarta and city buses. I think the busway will
only serve its purpose if the city administration develops more
routes.

-- The Jakarta Post