Use of stickers for revenue

Use of stickers for revenue

From Neraca

Judging from newspaper reports, the Jakarta administration is
set to introduce a regulation requiring private vehicles to buy
permits in the form of stickers to enter the three-in-one zone,
despite the number of people who have expressed doubt about the
effectiveness of this system.

The proposal for a sticker system was first suggested when the
Jakarta administration was trying to ease traffic congestion in
major areas. This proposal was rejected back then and the
administration decided to attempt to ease traffic congestion in
major areas by stipulating that only private vehicles carrying a
minimum of three passengers may enter the areas, which became
known as three-in-one zones. Obviously, the main goal of the
introduction of the three-in-one zones was to reduce the number
of private cars passing certain roads so that traffic congestion
in the areas could be eased.

The proposal for a sticker system was rejected because it was
considered that the system could not help ease traffic
congestion. Under the system, all cars would be able to enter the
restricted zone as long as they bought a sticker.

At that time one of the reasons the community objected to the
adoption of a sticker system was that the proposed sticker price
was affordable to virtually all private car owners. How then
could the goal of reducing the number of cars be achieved?

To cut the story short, the Jakarta administration opted to
adopt the three-in-one system. Unfortunately, this system has not
only failed to achieve the desired result, but has also opened up
new "employment opportunities", throwing the restricted zones
into greater disorder.

Practically all private car owners are able to enter the
restricted zones because some teenagers and adults, who have
taken up the new employment opportunities, are always ready to
make up the numbers of passengers in the cars for a payment of Rp
1,000 per trip, per person.

It seems now, however, that a different motivation is
prompting the present Jakarta administration to opt for the
sticker system. The main goal seems to have shifted from easing
traffic congestion to augmenting regional revenue. Reportedly, if
a sticker sells for Rp 5.000 for one-day use, the regional
administration can expect to pocket about Rp 175.2 million a day.

Community members have again voiced their objections to the
sticker system. Most of them argue that now is not the right time
to adopt this system in view of the ongoing economic crisis. One
thing that must be taken into account is that if the Jakarta
administration insists on adopting this sticker system, which
most community members do not think fit and proper, the
administration will command less respect from the community.

It is our hope that the decision to adopt a sticker system
will be put under review.

DANI WIHARTO

Jakarta