Jakarta truck ban hampers economy: Minister

Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi says the current ban on trucks using the Jakarta inner-city toll road is an impediment to the national economy, since it hampered deliveries for export and shifted traffic jams into the suburbs outside Jakarta and nearby cities.

“We know this is the era of regional autonomy, but please consider the [broader] consequences of such local policies,” Freddy said Tuesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Freddy said he had received complaints about traffic jam in Tangerang, Banten, following the introduction of the toll road truck ban by Jakarta Police.

Because of the ban goods prices had gone up, transportation costs had increased and goods did not reach their destinations as scheduled, he added.

The ban is currently being trialed for a one-month period that will conclude in June. If found to be a success, the Jakarta administration will likely extend the ban indefinitely.