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