Traffic Congestion Rises as Odd-even Policy is Dropped amid Pandemic

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Traffic congestion in the capital city of Jakarta has visibly increased amidst the Covid-19 pandemic due the removal of the odd-even number plate policy as one of the culprits. This policy, prior to the pandemic, has helped control the number of vehicles permitted to pass a certain street.

Unfortunately, the lack of this rule has brought the congestion levels back to normal even prior to the large-scale social restriction (PSBB) and PPKM restriction. 

“The volume of vehicles in Sudirman-Thamrin increased by 115.1 percent. This number was compared to the period where the odd-even policy was implemented from March 31-April 5 2021 and the lack of it from July 13-19, 2020,” said the Metro Jaya Police traffic deputy director Rusdy Pramana to Antaranews on June 7.

Due to this situation, the Metro Jaya Police has recommended the Jakarta Administration to reintroduce the odd-even policy in order to once again control traffic congestion in Jakarta’s main streets. 

However, the deputy police chief reminds that public transportation passengers could increase between 11-12 percent once vehicle restriction is reintroduced. “Based on that, we would also need to organize the operational hours of offices, shopping malls, and other public activities to reduce traffic congestion simultaneously,” said Rusdy.

Read: Vehicle Congestion Nearly Normal amid Jakarta Transitional PSBB

DICKY KURNIAWAN