3-in-1 Suspension Begins on Jakarta's Streets
Jakarta. The city's 3-in-1 carpool system has been temporarily suspended today (05/04), following a commitment from Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to reform the city's traffic woes and end exploitation of children.
City Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama called for the system to be suspended after media revealed the rampant use of exploited children as "jockeys" — passengers for hire to reach the minimum — to bypass the requirement. The system was introduced in Jakarta in the 90s.
The system, applied between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. along main roads, has also failed to effectively handle Jakarta's notorious traffic.
The suspension will apply April 5, 8, 11 and 13, and will allow private cars to pass through main thoroughfares, such as Jalan Gatot Subroto, Sudirman and Thamrin, during rush hour regardless of if they meet the three passenger minimum.
Randal, a 27-year-old car user, said the suspension didn’t trigger any heavy traffic congestion this morning, nor did it lower the level of traffic jams on the capital’s main roads.
“The suspension worked very well this morning, but I’m not very sure about this afternoon. People go to office in different times since 7 a.m. in the morning until 10 a.m. or even 11 a.m., but they look like to go home at around 6 p.m.,” said Randal, who works at an office on Jalan Gatot Subroto.
He agreed with the Jakarta administration's plan to permanently end the carpool system, but said other traffic measures must also be introduced.
Anjani, also a car user, doubted there would be a significant difference during the suspensions, adding that the city's roads are full with cars during the weekdays regardless of the system.
"Jakartans already know the alternative roads and thy will avoid the main roads when traffic jams get heavier," she said.
Jakarta police traffic unit data shows some 6,000 new vehicles — 1,600 cars — arrive on the streets of the capital every day, with a 12 percent growth in personal vehicles every year.
Data in 2015 found there are more than 17 million vehicles, including 3.2 million cars, in Jakarta. This figure does not account for vehicles used to commute from Bekasi, Depok, Tangerang and Bogor into the city each day.
Basuki said the city will introduce electronic pricing which will allow cars with an onboard device and automatic payments to use certain roads. Regulations and procedures are yet to be established.
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