T

he Jakarta administration is to begin imposing maximum penalties on motorists using Transjakarta lanes in an effort to ensure the regularity and punctuality of the bus service.

Motorists violating traffic regulations can be fined a maximum of Rp 500,000 (US$37.86) or serve two months in jail, according to Article 287 of the Traffic and Land Transportation Law.

 “We are having a meeting today. Later, [people using Transjakarta lanes] will be penalized with maximum fines,” Jakarta Transportation Agency deputy head Sunardi Sinaga was quoted by kompas.com as saying after a meeting with representatives from district courts, the Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office and the Jakarta Police’s traffic division on Tuesday.

Sunardi said he expected the move to serve as a deterrent.

“We hope to reach our goal of seeing a headway of two to five minutes for Transjakarta buses. If the maximum fine is enforced, motorists will think twice [before using Transjakarta lanes],” he said, adding that traffic accidents involving Transjakarta buses and private vehicles in bus lanes had increased in line with the greater number of Transjakarta buses.

Sunardi said he expected the new move to persuade private-vehicle users to switch to Transjakarta given the improved bus service.

“We will keep improving the service,” he promised.