Presidential decree on sticker system issued
JAKARTA (JP): A presidential decree on the sticker system which will replace the controversial three-in-one traffic system was issued on Monday and the city is preparing supporting bylaws, an official said yesterday.
Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi told The Jakarta Post that the decree, which approves the sticker system, deals with administrative matters only.
"Supporting bylaws are under preparation. This process has involved all relevant parties and has considered public requirements and expectations," Kahfi said.
The current three-in-one regulation requires private vehicles to carry at least three people when entering restricted zones during the morning and evening rush hours.
"Until everything is ready, we will continue to apply the three-in-one policy. We won't rush things. It is better to be well prepared than have a new but unworkable system," he said.
A special team was assigned to the task of drafting the new regulations and making the necessary technical preparations last month, based on gubernatorial decree No. 115/1998.
The city administration will be in charge of managing the sticker system for the time being, although it is expected that the private sector will soon take charge of the project.
Kahfi refused to comment on which private companies are likely to assist the city to apply the sticker system.
"For the time being the city administration will run the system alone," he said.
There are rumors that PT Wijaya Wisesa, a company owned by Eddy Nalapraya, a former deputy governor of Jakarta, has been given the contract.
The company has reportedly proposed charging Rp 5,000 for a sticker allowing a single entry into the restricted zone, Rp 8,000 for a day sticker and Rp 100,000 for a monthly sticker.
Two other companies are believed to have submitted bids for the project.
"Remember that the goal of this system is to solve the problem of traffic congestion in the heart of this city, not to merely gain profits," Kahfi said.
The city administration conducted a number of traffic comparison studies overseas before it finally selected the sticker system to replace the three-in-one system, he said.
"We studied and researched traffic management in Australia and Singapore and we will adapt the system most suited to Jakarta." Kahfi said.
He said that trials, which will reportedly be carried out in June, would be finally decided upon by the governor.
"We want to begin trials as soon as possible, but it is up to the governor and the special team assigned to this matter."
Kahfi is a commissioner on the team which is lead by the head of the City Development Planning Board and comprises senior officials from transportation, city planning, public works, law and financial affairs agencies and non-government organizations.
The team is expected to propose that a private company administers the system and runs a campaign to familiarize the public with the system.
"I will give you more details later. In the meantime we are open to suggestions and comments from the public," he said.
City councilor Amarullah Asbah, head of Commission C for Financial Affairs said that the city council had begun to work on the necessary bylaws.
"We have to have time to study the effect of the planned bylaw. It takes time and effort to perfect a regulation which will affect all of us.
"We can't make the same mistakes as before. The municipality has to be more cautious this time," he added.
The three-in-one regulation was introduced in 1992 in a bid to ease notorious morning traffic congestion. However, motorists managed to beat the system by hiring "jockeys", usually young children, who make up the required number of passengers for Rp 1,000 (10 U.S. cents) a time. (edt)