JAKARTA, JAKTIMES.COM – Gilbert Simanjuntak, a member of the DPRD DKI Jakarta Commission B, suggests that private vehicle restrictions should be implemented following Jakarta’s transition from being the capital city to address traffic congestion.
“The reduction of the number of vehicles should be the target,” he said in a written statement in Jakarta, as quoted by Jaktimes.com from Antara (24/04/2024).
He also mentioned that the implementation of restrictions should also apply to electric vehicles.
According to Gilbert, restricting private vehicles is a policy trend in developed countries worldwide.
However, he emphasized that this policy should be accompanied by good public transportation management.
“In all developed cities, the number of vehicles is limited. But mass public transportation must also improve so that people are not disrupted in their activities. If both are done, Jakarta will definitely not be congested,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN)/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) stated that the high traffic congestion is one of the strategic issues in Jakarta.
Therefore, Bappenas recommends increasing the vehicle ownership tax and implementing toll roads to reduce the use of private vehicles.
Additionally, Bappenas also recommends enhancing the quantity and quality of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services and rail-based transportation (trains) to tackle the high traffic congestion in Jakarta.
Referring to the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index Ranking, DKI Jakarta ranks 30th out of 387 cities measured from 55 countries across six continents. The previous year, Jakarta was ranked 29th among the most congested cities.
Previously, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Suhajar Diantoro, mentioned that according to the Jakarta Special Capital Region Law (UU DKJ), local governments have the authority to limit the number of privately-owned motor vehicles.
“In the UU DKJ, the government, in agreement with the DPR, gives authority to the Jakarta Special Capital Region Government to regulate the number of vehicles that the public can own,” said Suhajar.
