Basuki: We Have to Force People Using Public Transport
Reported by Folmer | Translated by Arief Rahman
Jakarta Provincial Government continues the revamping and adding various modes of public transport to eliminate the traffic congestion problem in the capital.
Yes, we'll copy Chicago, there are chaotic too, if there are many building, we will provide flyover
Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, admitted urban planning condition in Jakarta has been chaotic and worsened by the increasing number of private vehicles passing in the capital streets. Therefore, said Basuki, the City Government will copy the transportation system as applied in Chicago, USA.
"Yes, we'll copy Chicago, there are chaotic too, if there are many building, we will provide flyover. But, we cannot solve all the problems of transport in a short time," said Basuki, at City Hall, Friday (1/16).
APTB to Join with PT Transjakarta in Three MonthsBasuki added, the issue of traffic congestion in Jakarta will be resolved if the citizens are willing to switch their ride to use public transport.
"There is still traffic congestion in Japan, the one solution is, we have to force people using public transport that already comfortable," added Basuki.
He continued, his side has prepared a number of steps to force the citizens to use public transport. Those are restriction of private vehicles through the implementation of electronic road pricing (ERP), the revocation of fuel subsidies, increasing parking rates, enforcement of parking meters, increase the progressive tax of motor vehicles, and others.
"The rich man also ride MRT when they are in Singapore, because the taxi tariff is also high there," he continued.
City Government, stated Basuki, will also optimize the mass transportation such as Transjakarta bus that will pass in each corridor every three minutes. Transjakarta availability is expected to bring positive impact.
"If you prefer to stay 3 hours on the road, please go ahead, we do not want to interfere. The important thing, there is an alternative for society to arrive at their destination quickly, but in the mass transportation, not in a private vehicle," uttered the former regent of East Belitung.
