T

he city administration has continued to delay key projects planned to minimize traffic congestion in Jakarta, such as the electronic road pricing (ERP) system and an overhaul of public transportation.

Transportation Agency head Andri Yansyah acknowledged that the agency had encountered difficulties in getting the two programs up and running.

'€œThere are a number of issues that we must overcome. But I assure you, it'€™s nothing we can'€™t handle,'€ Andri told reporters after a meeting at his office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, recently.

Academic studies on the ERP have been carried out since 2006. The system is slated to replace the existing three-in-one system, which requires that each car carry at least three people on some roads in Jakarta during the morning and evening weekday rush hours. Under the system, each vehicle that passes gantries will be detected through an on-board unit (OBU) and must pay a certain amount.

'€œFor the ERP, we need to meticulously draft and prepare bidding documents. It is a very complex technology with many aspects that need cooperation and synergy with all relevant agencies and entities,'€ Andri said.

Before submitting bidding documents, he pointed out that the agency had to establish the system'€™s funding, management and maintenance, as well as the respective tasks of each entity involved.

'€œFor example, Bina Marga [Roads] Agency is responsible for helping maintain the physical gantries, while the Jakarta Traffic Police are responsible for the law enforcement, which is the most complicated element,'€ Andri said.

He added that if all went to plan, bidding would start early 2016, with a winner announced by the middle of the year. He estimated that the system would take effect starting 2017, two years later than the original target.

Meanwhile, the planned overhaul of public transportation needed further surveys and research before it could begin, Andri said.

The city is home to a variety of modes of public transportation, such as minivans and minibuses. Most types of public transportation in Jakarta are owned privately by individuals and small firms who hire drivers, who are required to pay a setoran (set fee) to the operators each day and take home only any money above that amount. As a result, many drivers tend to wait for passengers and drive recklessly.

The city'€™s public transportation revitalization program aims to erase the setoran system by having Transjakarta pay bus owners per kilometer traveled.

'€œWe still need to conduct a number of surveys to determine which routes are most needed by passengers in areas throughout the city. We will also gauge whether existing routes are still needed in order to provide the most effective public transit,'€ Andri said,

Separately, Governor Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama acknowledged that the city administration faced many obstacles and difficulties in its planned projects.

'€œWe need to completely revamp Jakarta'€™s public transportation; it must be done carefully. There are still a number of things being discussed, such as the rate drivers will be paid per kilometer,'€ Ahok told reporters at City Hall recently.

The governor added that the city was also open to newer technology for the ERP system.

'€œWe want the ERP system to be accurate. Singapore recently started using a GPS system instead of gantries and OBU. We'€™re discussing whether this system can be implemented in Jakarta,'€ Ahok said.