TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Azas Tigor Nainggolan, an observer on transportation from the Jakarta Residents Forum (FAKTA), said that the average driving speed of private vehicles in Jakarta is only around 12-14 kilometers per hour, which is about the speed at which a human can run.
"The fastest [driving speed] is 18 kilometers per hour," Tigor told Tempo on Wednesday, November 18.
He said that every year, the average speed of vehicles passing through Jakarta decreases. In the 1980s, the average speed is 30-40 kilometers per hour. In the 1990s, it dropped to 20 kilometers per hour.
"Now it's just around 12 kilometers per hour. This is because there is no attempt to control congestion," he said.
The increasing use of private vehicles and the development of infrastructure in Jakarta that damages road are "making traffic jams worse," Togar said.
Tigor pointed out the Transjakarta flyover construction in Mampang, which has taken up roads. "Before the project, Mampang was already jammed. Now the congestion is even longer because of the project."
According to Tigor, widening or building new roads is not the solution to overcome traffic congestion in Jakarta. "The solution is to improve public transport."
The government, Tigor said, should provide public means of transportation that are comfortable; just as comfortable as a personal vehicle.
"The must be no more sexual harassment on buses, cases of bus catching fire, or bus strikes," he said.
He added that the improvement of public transport must be coupled with vehicle restrictions such as by ERP, expensive parking fees, "and fewer and narrower parking lots."
AFRILIA SURYANIS