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