T

he Jakarta administration said Thursday that the planned strike by members of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) would not stop it from continuing a ban on trucks until June 10.

A joint meeting of the Jakarta Transportation Agency, the Jakarta Police traffic division and the Jakarta Transportation Council (DTKJ) determined that the city would continue with the month-long ban.

Governor Fauzi Bowo will bring the decision to a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday evening.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Udar Pristono said so far the ban has positively impacted the traffic in the city. “We have recorded positive signs indicating the success of the ban,” Pristono said.

Pristono said among the positive signs were improvement in average vehicle speeds on the toll road, increased numbers of Transjakarta bus passengers, increased public transportation revenues and lowered levels of air pollution.

On May 9, the city started a month-long trial ban on trucks traveling on five sections of the inner-city toll road between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The toll road sections affected are Cawang-Tomang, Pluit-Tomang, Cawang-Tanjung Priok, Cawang-Pasar Rebo and Cawang-Cikunir.

The ban was an extension of a limited five-day ban on the Cawang-Tomang section in conjunction with the 18th ASEAN Summit from May 7 to 8.

The city is planning to impose a total ban on trucks traveling on the inner-city toll road in order to reduce congestion on the city’s thoroughfares, especially during rush hour.

Data from the Jakarta Transportation Agency showed that container trucks accounted for 30 percent of vehicles on toll roads during rush hour.

The Jakarta chapter of Organda has called for the ban to be lifted and threatened to strike starting Friday.

Organda announced Wednesday that the strike would involve 16,000 vehicles and 32,000 transportation workers.

DKTJ chair Azas Tigor Nainggolan said the council had thrown their weight behind the ban.

“We found the ban has produced a positive impact. The planned strike is a bluff,” he said.

Azas said the city administration has made adjustments by allowing trucks to travel on the Tanjung Priok-Cawang section of the toll road.

“What else do they want? Other sections of the toll road have nothing to do with loading activities at the port,” he said.

Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi has come out against the ban, saying the Jakarta administration had no authority over the toll road.

Last week, the minister issued a decree against the ban and demanded the city revoke it.

Mayor Airin Rahmi Diany of neighboring South Tangerang decided to slap a ban against trucks traveling on the main South Tangerang road starting May 24.

Trucks are not allowed to travel on the road between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Airin said the municipality has been experiencing worsening traffic since the ban was implemented in Jakarta. The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and state port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Pelindo) have also come out against the ban, arguing that it would slow down the loading of goods at Tanjung Priok seaport.

Fauzi has referred to Law No. 32/2004 on Local Government, which gave the regional administration the autonomy to regulate all matters except for foreign, financial, defense and security, religious and legal affairs.