Progressive parking fee plan debated

JAKARTA (JP): Councilors are divided over progressive parking fees in city-owned parking lots.

The chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction, Lukman F. Mokoginta, said imposition of the progressive fees was urgently necessary in order to curb the use of private cars.

Lukman said Saturday he disagreed with another councilor and a city official who said progressive fees would impose too much of a financial burden on car users of diverse economic backgrounds.

"If these people can afford to buy and use cars, they should be able to pay a little more for parking," Lukman said.

Lukman said what is more important is that progressive fees come with added services to ensure the security of parked cars in city-owned parking lots.

He said parking authorities must pay for every item stolen from a car if the theft took place when the car was parked in their area.

"If users get a guarantee of protection, they will not mind paying a little more," Lukman said.

The head of city council Commission C in charge of revenue, Helmy A.R. Syihab, also supported this view.

A Golkar faction member, Bandjar Marpaung, and a city official, Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, said the city must improve services first before imposing progressive fees.

Lukman said the implementation of progressive fees could be done in phases.

The fees could first be drawn from cars parked in the city- owned parking lots, and then extended to those along the streets, Lukman said.

Furthermore, to prevent lot users from being overcharged, he suggested the progressive charge should be limited to four hours.

"After four hours, parking users should not be charged more, he said." (02)