W

hile a recent court verdict to upend a motorcycle restriction earned praise from Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, transportation experts lambasted the ruling on Tuesday, calling it a hurdle in creating a sustainable city.

Trisakti University urban expert Nirwono Yoga said the administration should limit the use of private vehicles and encourage Jakartans to walk or use public transportation if they were serious in creating a better Jakarta.

“A sustainable city does not see private vehicles as the primary means of transportation. It encourages walking and cycling in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Nirwono said, adding that the previous administration issued the ban as an effort to accomplish these factors.

Other supporting efforts prepared by the administration include the implementation of an electronic road pricing system and increasing parking fees.

The Supreme Court ruled to overturn the motorcycle ban on Dec. 20, after app-based ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers Yuliansah Hamid and Diki Iskandar filed a petition in September to review the 2014 gubernatorial decree.

The court said the regulation contravened the 1999 Human Rights Law, because roads should be accessible to all, including motorcyclists.

Aiming to restore equality among motorists, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan previously said he planned to scrap the motorcycle ban, which was made by then governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in 2014 and has been implemented along Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta.

Djoko Setijowarno, a transportation expert from Semarang-based Soegijapranata Catholic University, said revoking the motorcycle ban would worsen traffic congestion in the capital.

Djoko argued that the restriction was needed to “push” Jakartans into leaving their private vehicles behind and use public transportation.

The excessive use of vehicles, he further said, would lead to air and noise pollution, increased accidents and traffic congestion.

“Overturning the motorcycle ban will worsen traffic congestion along Jl. M.H. Thamrin, where construction is taking place for several new public transportation facilities,” Djoko said.

“Jakarta’s traffic will be more chaotic, and the condition will eventually impede efforts to create a sustainable Jakarta.”

The city administration said that it would comply with the court ruling and revoke the regulation as soon as possible.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Andri Yansyah said traffic signs about the restriction, which are situated on Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, would likely be removed on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Anies praised the court ruling and pledged to implement it very soon.

“The court ruling has supported our idea of creating equality in the city. Jakarta is not owned by only a few residents, but it is a city for all,” said the former education minister.

Filani Olyvia, a resident of Mampang Prapatan in South Jakarta who works on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, expressed her disappointment over the revocation of the motorcycle ban.

The 25-year-old said she was concerned about the resulting traffic in Jakarta’s thoroughfares if motorcycles were allowed to pass them.

“Motorcycle taxi drivers often use sidewalks and parts of the road to wait for passengers, and it is quite possible for them to do so on the city’s main thoroughfares if the ban is revoked,” she said.