Operators get huge profit

The government is planning to increase toll road charges by at least 15 percent, ostensibly to reduce the number of cars on the streets and raise money for maintenance. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here about their opinion of the plan.

Brama Octiawan, 26, an art student who lives in Pisangan, East Jakarta.

As long as the toll road management companies do not expand their lanes and take up extra space on the regular roads that run parallel, it is OK for them to raise the tolls.

It would be unfair if the free roads get smaller, pushing people to use the toll and paying quite an amount of money instead.

It is already unfair for toll road users now, especially those taking and paying for it everyday, but still get caught in traffic. The companies that operate them should settle those problems first, before making people pay more.

Fifin Sri Rahayu, 26, a public relations officer who lives in Cilandak, South Jakarta.

I have to take the toll road each day and I think the service so far is satisfactory. But, it will be quite burdensome for daily users if we have to pay more.

Not to mention, sometimes we still get in traffic jams on them. From what I know, the toll road companies have already made a profit, there should be no need for them to raise the fees again.

Maybe, the government is allowing the increase in a way to lessen the amount of cars on them, thereby relieving congestion. But, I do not think it will work.

The Jakarta Post