'My neighbors ride with me to work'
'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