Three-in-one benefits the poor

Three-in-one benefits the poor

I would like to comment on the proposed ending of Jakarta's
three-in-one traffic system. Critics of the system, who say the
car owners beat the system by paying "three-in-one boys" to be
passengers, are short sighted. They fail to note that the system
is a perfect example of environmental and development economies.

The cost of a three-in-one boy is a genuine tax on cars, thus
limiting their use and reducing damaging "greenhouse" gases. It
also transfers money directly from the richest people to the
poorest without the inefficiency of a state bureaucracy.
Economists are always looking to enhance the rich-to-poor
"trickle down" effect and the three-in-one policy is the best
example of this yet discovered.

I can also attest that having lived previously in Lagos, the
alternative odd-even number license plate system does not work.
Rich Nigerians initially bought a second car, but then realized
it was cheaper to bribe a licensing official for a second license
plate. Other people registered their cars as taxis but the only
fare-paying passengers were themselves.

An alternative for Jakarta might be to allow all owners of the
Timor national car unrestricted entry into the business district
as a way of further enhancing the national car program. I would
suggest allowing owners of commercial category vehicles access
with three passengers, ensuring that some trickle-down remains.
All mid-price non-Timor vehicles should be forced to pay 10
percent of the value of their car as an annual access fee, and
top-end vehicles such as Mercedes, Volvos and BMWs should pay 30
percent of the value. Exotic sports cars such as Porsches should
be barred at all times.

It is important that Jakarta has a sensible traffic policy and
I hope my proposals are taken with the seriousness they deserve.

WILLIAM KEELING

Jakarta