Ban on trucks expected despite protest

The Jakarta administration is pressing ahead with a plan to ban heavy load vehicles and container trucks from the city’s toll roads during the day, despite protests from the business community.

Jakarta Transportation Agency chief Udar Pristono said on Tuesday that the plan was supported by the central government, including Coordinating Economic Minister’s Office, the Transportation Ministry and the Public Works Ministry.

“Technically, there’s no problem in implementing the regulation because all we need is a reorganization of the port warehouse system and the distribution of goods. The regulation will be issued as a ministerial decree,” Udar said.

Udar said that the decree would be ready before mid-year. The regulation is currently under discussion at the Coordinating Economic Minister’s Office.

The decree will regulate all issues related to distribution of goods, including changing the operating hours of the Tanjung Priok Seaport, its warehouses and the Customs and Excise office to night.

The ban on big trucks was needed to stop traffic congestion, especially during rush hours. The new policy was expected to reduce the number of vehicles on the streets during peak hours.

The city’s initial plan was to ban heavy duty vehicles from the toll roads between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Representatives of the Jakarta chapters of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said they wanted the city to reconsider the ban.

“They’re not offering an alternative solution to keep the flow of goods moving. This policy will not only affect Jakarta’s economy but also the national economy,” Andre Silalahi, Organda’s cargo vehicle division chief, said.

Andre said the ban would force all centers of distribution, ports, banks, shops and relevant businesses to open at night, adding to their financial burdens.

Syafrizal BK, Kadin’s local chief for transportation, logistics and ports, agreed, adding that the ban would not do much to ease traffic congestion.

“The number of trucks going through inner city toll roads is small compared to the total number of daily container trips,” he said.

Syafrizal said that container trucks needed between four and five hours to unload goods at the port.

“If they are given only six hours during the day and seven hours during the night to use the roads, they won’t be able to go anywhere,” he said.

Under the New Order regime, the central government imposed a ban on trucks and other vehicles from certain toll road lanes between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. to reduce traffic accidents.

— JP/Andreas D. Arditya