Transportation plan

Transportation plan

From Kompas

The transportation plan to replace noisy bajaj (motorized three-wheeled vehicles) and ojek (motorbikes) in Jakarta with an electric car to be named molek, carries the approval of Jakarta's citizens. There are many positive aspects to the molek operation.

The first to benefit from this change would be the capital's environment; electric cars do not make much noise. Compared with bajaj, their polluting potential is minimal. Bajay emissions are just as bothersome as those of the outdated bemo. The noise the present vehicles make is also the reason of many complaints from housing development dwellers.

Second, the new vehicle could be run at more competitive rates compared with gasoline-operated transportation. This would almost certainly raise the income of molek drivers and keep transportation costs for the public on an even keel.

Third, the molek operation would be making a considerable contribution to the ongoing Langit Biru (blue skies) plan in Indonesian cities. It would also be a start toward thriftiness and equal distribution of energy.

Any negative aspects that might turn up in the use of molek as a means of transportation on highways or secondary roads could be improved with some modifications. Molek ownership could be organized in a cooperative system.

The government should be drafting a rule that these vehicles must be driven by drivers in possession of the C category driving license.

If organized well, the molek should improve the capital's setting, be an income earner and provide safer, quieter transportation means in many of Jakarta's housing estates.

ARIEF

Jakarta