Jakarta. Jakarta's new deputy governor Sandiaga Uno said the city's administration is likely to lift its ban on motorcycles from traveling on Jalan M.H. Thamrin, one of the main thoroughfares in Central Jakarta.

The ban was issued in 2014 by previous Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama in order to reduce fatality rate among motorcycle riders in the city.

Sandiaga said the main reason for lifting the ban is to provide equal treatment for all types of vehicles on the capital's roads.

Along with the ban, Ahok also issued free TransJakarta bus passes to encourage more people to take public transport.

"We're still studying the issue. Please don't make assumptions. Bina Marga (Jakarta's road agency) will work out the best way to give equal access to motorcycle riders. And, of course, we won't neglect the safety aspect," Sandiaga said at City Hall on Wednesday (08/11).

Sandiaga said he is not worried by the prospect of motorcycles returning to busy Jalan Thamrin.

He said the city administration will offer new incentives for people to take public transport.

One of them is the OK OTrip card, which can be used to pay for trips with TransJakarta buses and also public minivans which Jakartans often ride on to get to and from TransJakarta stops.

Sandiaga said more Jakartans will use public transport once the mass rapid transport, or MRT, train starts operating in 2019.

"We're always thinking of new schemes to persuade people to choose public transport over private vehicles," the deputy governor said.