'Three-in-one traffic policy useless'

The city administration unveiled a plan last week to extend the three-in-one restricted zones in a bid to alleviate traffic in the downtown core. However, the public believes that this will not be enough to solve the transportation problem, especially the traffic jams. Several motorists told The Jakarta Post that improving public transportation was more important.

Diah Massardi, 40, is the director of an advertising agency in Blok M, South Jakarta. She lives in Bekasi with her husband and three children:

The three-in-one policy has never helped reduce traffic congestion in the city.

There are so many joki, people who offer themselves to motorists needing three passengers to enter the restricted zone, even at the toll road gate. It would also be useless to arrest them, because so many motorists pick them up from the side of the road.

What's worse is that we comply with the rule because there are some police officers on duty. I always do, too, as my neighbor who gets a ride with me usually gets out of the car hundreds of meters after passing the police and I drive through the zone safely even though there are only two of us left in the car. So, what is the rule for?

I envy the traffic situation in Singapore, where everyone can use public transportation safely and comfortably. I wish Jakarta could be the same.

Raising public awareness, instilling a sense of discipline in bus crews and improving public transportation should be the ultimate priorities in trying to solve some of the city's traffic problems.

I would certainly use the buses if I felt secure on them. During the times I have used buses, I've had to wear casual clothes out of fear of crime.

Tika Bisono, 42, is a training manager at a human resources consultancy in Kuningan, South Jakarta. She lives in Depok, West Java, with her husband and three children:

The three-in-one traffic rule would be effective if joki were arrested and public transportation was improved.

In fact, the implementation of the rule has been to no avail as no one is disciplined. Besides, the restricted zones do not help reduce traffic congestion as many other alternative routes get backed up during the rush hour.

The lack of a safe public transportation system has aggravated the traffic problem as many people prefer to use their cars.

Worse, the buses are all in very poor condition. How can well- groomed office employees humiliate themselves by taking these shabby buses?

I think public policies do not mean anything because of the corrupt transportation owners and high-ranking officials, the poor mentality of law enforcers and undisciplined motorists.

All regulations might become applicable if public transportation was brought up to an acceptable standard. Otherwise, we will continue to be uncomfortable living in the city.

Sometimes I take an ojek (motorcycle taxi) as it's relatively safer than public buses and it's faster.

Wijaya, 31, is an employee at a non-governmental organization on Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, South Jakarta. He lives in Kampung Ambon, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:

The three-in-one traffic rule does not work at all. Terrible traffic jams continue to frustrate motorists in the city.

The main problem is that the amount of thoroughfares in the city cannot accommodate the growing volume of vehicles. Worse still, public transportation is so bad that not everyone wants to use it.

I prefer to go by taxi rather than take my car as it is so tiring trying to get through traffic.

-- Leo Wahyudi S