TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Traffic jams that frequently occur in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) have caused an annual loss of Rp100 trillion. Throughout 2017, the figure has reached Rp67.5 trillion per year in Jakarta as predicted by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

“We have conducted a study to reduce traffic jams in Jabodetabek,” the Greater Jakarta Transportation Body (BPTJ) head Bambang Prihartono said in Jakarta on Sunday, December 3. “We will work with local governments and related agencies to address traffic jam issues.”

According to Bambang, the high rate of traffic jams occurr as the road capacity can no longer facilitate vehicles. Such a condition has worsen as the number of motorcycles is growing, while the number public transportation users is declining.

Data from the agency shows that the number of vehicles in the period of 2000-2010 increased 4.6 folds. In addition, the number commuters from Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi stands at about 1.1 million and has continued to rise since 2002.

The daily traffic movementin Jabodetabek increased by 58 percent to 47.5 million in 2015 from 37.3 million in 2003. In total, there were 24.8 million vehicles in Jabodetabek that houses 31 million people.

The number of motorcycles accounts for 75 percent of the total figure. The rest of them are private cars that account for 23 percent and public transportation at only 2 percent.

One of the policies implemented to address the traffic jam issues in Jabodetabek is Push and Pull Policy. The policy covers regulations at 17 traffic jam spots, payment system integration, motorcycle control, establishing special lanes for public transportations, and mass transportation developments.

IMAM HAMDI