TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police agreed on the implementation of extended odd-even policy, said the police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono.

The extension of private vehicle restrictions through the license plate number was proposed by the Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ) to Jakarta provincial administration. The traffic scheme was carried out during the 2018 Asian Games.

“If that’s proven to reduce congestion, and Jakarta administration had studied the matter, we’re okay with it,” said Argo in his office, Thursday, July 11.

During the multi-sports event in August 2018, the policy was applied every day starting 06:00 to 21:00 that was expanded to Jalan Benyamin Sueb, Jalan Metro Pondok Indah, and Jalan R.A. Kartini.

On January 2, 2019, the city administration prolonged the vehicle restriction policy through Gubernatorial Decree No. 155/2018, in which the policy takes effect on weekdays only at 06:00-10:00 and 16:00-20:00.

The roads affected were Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Jalan Gatot Subroto, sebagian Jalan Jenderal S. Parman, Jalan MT. Haryono, Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Jalan D.I. Panjaitan, and Jalan Ahmad Yani.

BPTJ Head Bambang Prihartono expressed hope the odd-even policy implemented during Asian Games 2018 could be reapplied considering the current strategy was no longer effective in alleviating congestion.

“Lately, the condition of Jakarta transportation is declining,” said Bambang on Wednesday, July 10.

ADAM PRIREZA