'Traffic jams worse on toll roads'

The government is planning to increase toll road fees by at least 15 percent, ostensibly to reduce the number of cars on the roads and raise money for maintenance. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their comments on the plan.

Antonio Juswar, 25, is a dentist. He lives in an apartment in Cengkareng, West Jakarta:

I use toll roads every day to reach my workplace. I have to spend at least Rp 8,000 a day.

I think the planned hike is simply unrealistic. In most cases, motorists do not really benefit from the expressway due to traffic jams. Sometimes, the traffic congestion along the toll roads is worse, especially inner city toll roads, than most normal roads. That's really ridiculous.

Jeffry Permana, 32, owns a graphic design company. He lives in Menteng, Central Jakarta:

I don't really mind the increase of the tolls, because it's always up to us to use the toll roads or not.

I don't think the management companies or the city can resolve the traffic problem. Unless, they build two levels of roads, the same as the Bay Bridge expressway in San Francisco, California. And that is free, too!

One day, I went to Bandung and took the Cipularang toll road. I think that is the most enjoyable driving I have ever had on a toll road from Jakarta.

-- The Jakarta Post