WB proposals to tackle traffic jams discussed

JAKARTA (JP): A transportation expert has suggested that the city should start setting up areas where motorists can park their vehicles and board buses.

Provided motorists feel they are leaving their cars in good hands, the 'park and ride' concept would discourage the use of private cars during peak hours, Falatehan Siregar, a staff member at the planning bureau of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology argued.

The 'park and ride' concept has already been implemented at some railway stations. Motorists are guaranteed a safe spot for their vehicles and take the train to their offices.

Jakarta traffic congestion causes up to Rp 2.3 trillion (US$978,307.10) per year in loss of time and fuel, according to figures from the joint working group of the Mass Rapid Transit project management unit.

"Whether we are aware of it or not, we already have a 'road pricing' system: the three-in-one kids," Siregar.

He was responding to a recent World Bank report on Indonesia which proposed the charging of fees during peak hours in congested areas.

Municipality officials said earlier this is indeed in the pipeline, and will be implemented in two phases, before and after the construction of the Blok M-Kota subway.

The price for the first phase, to be introduced later this year, is projected to be set at between Rp 1,500 and Rp 3,000.

Siregar said the idea of charging road users would be readily accepted.

But it could make congestion worse; Jakartans already pay the 'three-in-one kids' to pass through areas restricted for three passengers per vehicle from 6:30 to 10 a.m.

"But this entails the risk of police inspection."

"So motorists would gladly pay, say, Rp 2,000, the same paid to two joki kids, without risk and without having to look for additional passengers," Siregar said.

Imposing a higher fee, Rp 5,000, for instance, might discourage road use, "but would risk creating jealousy between those who can pay and those who can't," he said.

The perennial problem with paying the government fees is the public's lack of faith in officials' honesty, he added.

The proposal from the World Bank report is one of several for more efficient management of urban transport.

Charges of "congestion pricing" should also take pollution into consideration, the report says.

Siregar also said that part of the money from the road pricing scheme would go towards financing the urgently needed subway.

"Spending 12 hours away from home, with a three-hour drive back and forth in stressful, tiring, congestion is taxing, and affects the atmosphere at home," he said.

Novty, a taxi driver, revealed his own ways of dealing with traffic jams.

"I grumble, yes, but I try to sing to myself, stop for noodles or enjoy the view," he said.

"Once I saw a motorist hit a dog; he started swearing: 'Aa-' (anjing, Dog!) but stopped himself, because of course it really was a dog... How I laughed,". (anr)