TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Jakarta Transportation Agency chief Muhammad Akbar said the much-anticipated electronic road pricing (ERP) system would be implemented in the capital next year. He added the ERP system would be fully-operational upon the completion of the ERP technology development.

Akbar said his agency was still prepping the necessary documents for the tender process, which has been slated to take place this year. He added the agency was also mulling over the criteria and requirements for companies willing to participate in the tender. Among the requirements, he said, were recognized track records in the development of ERP technology, financial ability, and competitive bids.

He explained further that the development of the ERP was also an investment: the city administration will offer the project to investors, who will pay it after the project is concluded.

The city administration, he added, would lure revenue from the implementation of the ERP, in which every vehicle would be required to pay around Rp20,000-40,000 to enter ERP roads.

He said the city administration would use the revenue from the ERP to help finance several of its projects, including improving the quality of public transports and infrastructure, while the rest could be earmarked to pay the investors.

The implementation of the ERP system seeks to alleviate gridlocks in the capital’s streets, with its pilot project taking place in the area of Ratu Plaza.

ERWAN HERMAWAN