WB proposals to tackle traffic jams discussed

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)