Jakarta Traffic Congestion Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels: Police

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Metro Police traffic director commissioner Latif Usman said the vehicle mobility in the capital city currently reflects the situation prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, which is evident in the traffic congestion index. 

 “Jakarta’s congestion index in 2019 was 53 percent. And surely, it is worrying for a statistic to reach 50 percent, moreover 40 percent. This means that Jakarta is already uncomfortable,” said Latif in a meeting with Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission B members on January 24. 

The Jakarta traffic congestion index in the first year of the pandemic was 36 percent due to mobility restrictions and even reduced by 34 percent in the following year in 2021. 

Entering the first quarter of 2022, the Jakarta traffic index rose to 48 percent. However, the data for the remaining months is yet available. 

"In 2017, we were globally ranked fourth in terms of congestion. Yesterday in 2021, we were ranked 46th because of the pandemic. So that's why in 2022 we may not be able to calculate either, but my estimate is it's already 50 percent and above," said Latif Usman.

According to him, this has come to the attention of the Traffic Directorate of the Polda Metro Jaya and other stakeholders. There were 22 million vehicle movements in 2022, assuming a population of 10.7 million people.

It is estimated that a driver would lose precious time by 30 minutes during their commute. State losses are estimated at more than Rp70 trillion due to traffic congestion in Jakarta in the first and second quarters of 2022.

"State losses actually reach Rp 71 trillion in a year due to traffic jams," he said.

M FAIZ ZAKI 

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