'Fix the bumpy toll roads and traffic jams!'
The government is planning to increase expressway tolls by at least 15 percent, ostensibly to reduce the number of cars on the roads and raise money for maintenance. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their comments about the plan.
Ivan Pasla, 31, owns a restaurant. He lives in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang:
I regularly use the Ulujami-Cijantung expressway. About three weeks ago, the toll increased to Rp 8,000 from Rp 6,500.
Back then, what I thought was: why are they increasing it instead of decreasing it?
Based on my experience living abroad, the road operators gradually lower tolls after a certain period of time. Obviously, after they make their profits. Often, the tolls are eventually lifted altogether.
Overall, the toll roads I use are OK. I had an experience one day where my car was damaged on the expressway somewhere before the Cijantung exit.
A tow company affiliated to the toll road operator offered me help. Although it is supposed to be free, the men still asked me for money.
I can understand why they are increasing the tolls. So far, the expressway that I use is in reasonably good condition. They have police patrols and it is quite brightly illuminated at night. I think they will probably use the money for maintenance.
Midya N.S, 23, is a reporter with a lifestyle magazine. She lives in East Jakarta and often uses the expressway to get to her office on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta:
What? Another hike? Is it not enough that the prices of everything are currently rising? The toll is going up too? I think that it's unacceptable that the expressway operators are raising the tolls again as they have failed to control traffic on the roads.
If they increase the tolls, what benefit do we get from this? I don't see any changes being made. Traffic jams are becoming more common on all the city toll roads.
Moreover, the potholes on some toll roads make driving uncomfortable and dangerous. If they want to increase the tolls, they should do something to give us value for money for a change. Fix the bumpy roads, and manage the traffic so that the expressways function appropriately.
Whatever it takes, they need to find solutions that will improve their services before they raise the tolls.
-- The Jakarta Post