Critics argue that exempting motorcycles from the odd-even traffic policy is counterproductive to achieving the policy's goal of reducing traffic and air pollution.
The Jakarta administration’s final expansion of the odd-even traffic policy – which aims to curb the worsening air pollution and reduce traffic congestion in the capital – exempts motorcycles.
Experts are now questioning the effectiveness of the policy, as the nation's capital has seen a surge of motorcycles on its streets in the past years.
Djoko Setijowarno from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) questioned the decision of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to exempt motorcycles, after mulling the inclusion of two-wheeled vehicles in the policy. Djoko argued that motorcycles should also be subject to limited mobility, as they consisted the majority of vehicles in the capital.
He cited data from the Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ) that 24.89 million motorcycles were registered and made up 75 percent of all road vehicles in Greater Jakarta. This was followed by private cars at 23 percent and the remaining 2 percent was public transportation.
“It seems like limiting the mobility of motorcycles has yet to become a priority. Whereas its volume is tremendous and has caused problems for the city,” Djoko said on Friday in a written statement to The Jakarta Post. He cited air pollution from motorcycle emissions, congestion and increasing traffic incidents as among the problems.
Expanding the odd-even policy to cover additional routes was not an effective way to reach the goal, he said, and that adequate policy on limiting motorcycles would encourage people to shift from private to public transportation.
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