TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Syafrin Liputo said that his side could not issue a sign for online taxis to be exempted from the odd-even policy. The city administration entrusted the matter to the National Police’s traffic unit.

“We hope the police institution can provide the tags because it is their domain,” said Syafrin to Tempo, Friday, August 30. “The authority on registration and identification of motorized vehicles is the police's, according to the law.”

Syafrin reiterated that online-based transportation was still using black license plates, albeit recognized as public transport. Referring to the Supreme Court’s verdict that has been noted in the Transportation Minister's Regulation No. 118/2018 on non-route transportation, the government is not allowed to set the tagging.

However, he went on, the provincial administration was determined to seek an optimal solution so the taxis could be freed from the traffic policy. The city’s agency also continued to communicate the matter to the police.

The agency has issued recommendations for 9,200 online taxis. “But the number of operating taxis is predicted to be higher than that we have recommended.”

Earlier reports said Jakarta extended the routes affected by the odd-even policy from nine to 25 roads. The trial run lasts from August 12 until September 8.

IMAM HAMDI