Traffic department needs funding

The municipal authorities are facing a lack of funds for the construction of a number of bus shelters, traffic signs and other facilities needed on certain roads selected for the strict enforcement of the new set of higher traffic fines.

A recent meeting on the preparation for the plan at the City Police Headquarters here was participated in by officials from the Traffic Police Directorate, the Public Works Office, the Traffic and Land Transportation Control Agency and district court and prosecutor's offices.

A police officer, who asked for anonymity, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the enforcement of the regulations on the selected roads might be postponed if the shortage of funds prevails.

"In short, we all agreed to carry out the plan, but facing such a basic problem we may have to wait until the various agencies can allocate funds for the establishment of the required facilities," the officer said.

In the meantime, if there are no shelters, it will be difficult for the police to ticket passengers who stop buses at random at the side of the road. (bsr)