Jakarta Diary: Jakarta Dwellers Waste 22 Days On The Road Annually

By Mohd Shukri Ishak Bernama's correspondent Mohd Shukri Ishak shares his story from Jakarta JAKARTA, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Macet is a dreaded word in the Indonesian language for those living in Jakarta! It is the term that the locals use to describe the horrendous traffic gridlock that daily grips this city of more than 10 million people. While back home motorists on the roads of Kuala Lumpur fume over the traffic snarls, I can tell you it is nothing compared with Jakarta where it may take hours to traverse a 10-kilometre stretch during peak hours. Though traffic jams are the norm in major cities of the world but the congestion in this city formerly known as Batavia is extraordinary, with the Indonesian media constantly calling the government to take drastic action immediately to address the macet. There is never-ending commentaries in the online media here on the traffic nightmare, with many saying if the government fails to address the problem within the next three years Jakarta dwellers will see the traffic snarl beginning right at their doorstep. Jakarta governor's representative Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno too lamented that the time wasted by Jakarta residents trapped in traffic jams is equivalent to 22 days in a year. "Imagine, the 22 days is equivalent to the number of annual public holidays in Indonesia," Sandiaga was quoted saying by an online media. He also noted that due to the traffic jam and the difficulty in finding parking space, Jakarta residents are often late to important events. The authorities in Jakarta have embarked on numerous ideas to alleviate the problem, including restricting the number of vehicles entering busy roads with the odd and even formula based on the days and time. Through this formula implemented on Aug 30, 2016, vehicles are allowed on certain roads on odd and even dates corresponding to the last digit of the vehicle's number plate. The roads involved are Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Jalan Sudirman, Jalan MH Thamrin, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, and part of Jalan Gatot Soebroto (from Jalan Layang Senayan to Kuningan business district). The formula is effective from Mondays to Fridays from 7 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 10 pm. Drivers who go against the rule can expect a maximum fine of Rp500,000 (US$38.15). Yet, the move did not bring the desired outcome due to the huge volume of vehicles on Jakarta roads. According to Statistics Indonesia, a total of 13.9 million two-wheelers and 5.5 million four-wheelers are registered in the metropolitan area. Hence, there are just too many vehicles on the road and there is a need for other options. For the long-term, Jakarta Mass Rapid Transport (MRT Jakarta) is taking shape with the first phase set to be operational in 2019. The First Phase of the project began in 2013 covering a distance of 15.5km connecting Lebak Bulus to Bundaran with 13 stations. Plans are also underway for an MRT line between Cikarang (in Bekasi) to Balaraja (in Tangerang) covering a distance of 87 kilometres and the line is expected to be operational in 2025. President Director of PT MRT Jakarta Dono Boestami said that the first phase of MRT could accommodate 130,000 passengers daily with the journey from Lebak Bulus to Bundaran taking 30 minutes only. Dono was also quoted by the media as saying that it would take more than the MRT to alleviate the city's traffic woes. Other public transportation modes have to play a complementary role as well. Apart from the MRT, the online media has also been encouraging the city dwellers to consider ride-hailing services like Uber, Grab and Go-Jek. The success in reducing traffic congestion is not solely dependent on state of the art infrastructure. It is how we help change the commuting culture of the locals. If those commuting using private vehicles switched to public transport only than it could be considered a success, said Dono. -- BERNAMA