'My neighbors ride with me to work'
The city administration unveiled last week its plan to extend the three-in-one traffic regulation, but experts say that a well- planned and comprehensive transportation system would be far more effective in alleviating the city's severe traffic problems. Under the three-in-one policy, vehicles with fewer than three passengers have not been allowed to enter the restricted zone. This has created a job opportunity for people, known as joki, who offer themselves as passengers for a small fee. The Jakarta Post asked city residents to comment on the issue.
Mia Korompis, 34, works for a multinational water company on Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, South Jakarta. She lives in Depok, West Java, with her husband and two children:
I think that implementation of the three-in-one policy isn't really that effective, as it doesn't reduce traffic congestion.
No alternative routes exist that you could take to avoid traffic jams in the city. I prefer to enter the restricted zone here as the others routes are also clogged up with vehicles. It would take longer and waste both time and energy.
So, every day I hire a joki to ride in my car so that I can enter the zone. I spend Rp 3,000 on the joki. I was once fined by a policeman over the violation and bribed him Rp 20,000.
Honestly, I wish that someday I could use public transportation, provided that it were convenient, punctual, safe, clean and comfortable. I would welcome such a facility with open arms! The cost wouldn't be a problem. But I wonder when Jakarta will have such comfortable, public transportation?
It's therefore no wonder that many Jakartans buy their own car in an attempt to enjoy a comfy ride, despite severe traffic jams.
The city administration shouldn't be singled out for blame in this matter, though. I would, instead, highlight the absence of public awareness on how to maintain public facilities.
I think the city administration would be better advised to raise public awareness and then provide safe and attractive public transportation. It would take time, but it would benefit everyone, rather than imposing ineffective policies.
Meriem Roy, 45, is the public relations manager at Hotel Indonesia, Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Meruya, West Jakarta, with her husband.
I think that, in principle, the rule should alleviate traffic problems in the city. Unfortunately, most motorists entering the restricted zone use joki.
I would prefer to see the practice outlawed as, in a way, it obstructs those who must enforce the policy. Besides, it also attracts jobless people to work as joki.
So, implementation of the rule has not really been effective due to a lack of motorist awareness. Traffic congestion therefore still occurs in the restricted zone at peak hours.
On the other hand, I can understand that well-off people prefer to travel in their own cars because they cannot rely on public transportation. Public buses, even the ones with air- conditioning, are now in such a state! So how can we possibly feel either safe or comfortable, with public transportation as it is?
As I'm afraid of becoming a victim of street crime, I never hire joki. Some of my neighbors take a ride in my car (to go to work also) so that I don't need to use joki on my journey to work.
I think that the city administration should impose strict penalties in a bid to ensure adherence to the three-in-one regulation, so that motorists -- like it or not -- will comply with it.
Yuli, 13, is a joki who offers herself as a passenger on the approach to the three-in-one traffic zone from Blok M to Ratu Plaza, South Jakarta. She lives in a residential institution in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, with her friends:
I've enjoyed being a joki so far. If the regulation is extended, it will mean more work for me.
It's much better for me, rather than hanging around or doing nothing at home; anyway, I quit school years ago.
Usually I can earn Rp 15,000 to Rp 20,000 per day, from 6 to 10 in the morning. Normally I can earn that from an average of four trips. I take a public bus to return to the original pickup point.
I have a few loyal clients who always let me ride in their car. They are usually quite generous, as they can give me up to Rp 10,000. One even offered to support me financially if I was willing to return to school but I declined, as I felt embarrassed, especially as I'm getting a bit old now.
However, I must always be on the lookout for city public order officials. I've already been arrested seven times and the foster parents where I live have paid a total of Rp 500,000 to get me released.
-- Leo Wahyudi S