'Check out result of traffic policy first'

'Check out result of traffic policy first'

Chronic traffic congestion around the capital has long been
bedeviling the city administration. The latter then determined to
develop its busway project connecting Blok M in South Jakarta and
Kota in West Jakarta. To facilitate the much criticized project,
Jakarta intends to extend the three-in-one policy and bar cars
with certain license plate numbers from entering the central zone
on certain days. The Jakarta Post asked some people their
opinions on the traffic policy.

Sevita Frety, 24, a media planner with an advertising agency
in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. She lives with her family in
Tangerang:

I definitely agree with the city administration's decision to
extend the three-in-one traffic policy because it will reduce
traffic congestion. I don't think it will cause more traffic jams
on the alternative routes as I know that most of the motorists
passing along the thoroughfares during peak hours in the morning
and afternoon are those who work in the offices along these
routes.

The busway itself reflects the administration's concern for
low-income residents of the city. The fare will be cheaper than
for the current air-conditioned buses.

People should stay calm, wait and see how the traffic policies
will work before condemning the administration. They are the ones
who are always demanding less traffic jams, but are now the
harshest critics.

Komang, 24, a reporter at a radio station in Central Jakarta:

I don't think the three-in-one traffic policy will really ease
traffic congestion in Jakarta.

I have noticed that while the policy reduces the number of
cars passing along the main thoroughfares, on some alternative
roads the traffic is heavier as motorists try to avoid the three-
in-one zone.

So, in other words, the traffic congestion is still there, it
is just being moved to another place. Thus the policy makes no
difference.

The administration should think of something else, something
better and more effective.

--The Jakarta Post