New parking fee plan unrealistic

New parking fee plan unrealistic

From Pelita

DKI's plan to hike present parking fees by 1,000 percent has
made news recently in most media. In my opinion, the increase is
too steep and wholly inconsistent with the country's economic
circumstances, which still lags far behind that of advanced
nations.

Even if the idea is still in the planning stage, it still
comes as a shock to many car owners. Not all car owners belong to
the middle and upper-class brackets, who are economically much
better off.

According to Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, the new parking fee
is to add to the regional income. It should also help reduce
congested traffic flow in the capital.

Reaction came swift from Romulus Sihombing (PDI faction of the
Jakarta Legislative Body) and Saud Rahman (of the PPP faction)
who said that hourly fees of Rp 5,000 would prove to be too much.
Fees should be kept realistic.

I wholly agree with the opinions of the two legislators. The
subject touches upon the interest of most people. I believe that
the regional income should not be increased to the disadvantage
of present parking fees.

Retribution could be acquired from recreational centers too.
As to efforts of eliminating severe congestion, this problem
should be tackled first by implanting a disciplinary sense of
order in the public -- a public which hardly pay attention to
side roads and parks wherever it suits them, regardless the fact
that they are not allowed to do so.

I hope that this letter might be read by the Jakarta regional
administration and that they revise their plan.

DENNY D

Jakarta