Motorbikes in Thamrin Disrupts Transport Connectivity: Observer
17 January 2018 12:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The policy of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to allow motorcycles free to roam on Jalan MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, once again, received criticism.
Public policy observer Agus Pambagio said that the revocation of ban on motorbikes at Jalan Thamrin-Medan Merdeka Barat disrupted the public transportation connectivity in Jakarta.
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"If we agree on the determination of public transportation in Jakarta with rerouting and so on, the motorcycles must immediately step aside because it will interfere," he said in a discussion about the transportation at Bale Lombok Restaurant, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 16.
He also said the ban on motorcycles in Thamrin inhibited the public transport, such as Transjakarta or Light Rail Transit (LRT). According to Agus, Jakarta Administration should focus on the interface connectivity in Jakarta.
"After the transportation is connected, parking fee in Thamrin, for example, Rp100,000 for an hour is okay."
Transportation observer Djoko Setijowarno argues, one thing to note in the revocation of motorcycles ban on Jalan Thamrin is environmental quality. Revocation of motorcycles ban will increase the air pollution, violations, clutter, and traffic congestion.
The use of motorcycles as a mode of transportation is also considered vulnerable to the safety and security of the motorists. Motorcycles accounted for 72 percent of the total number of road accidents.
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The members of the Jakarta City Transportation Council (DTKJ) Ellen Tangkudung said that vehicle restriction on Thamrin Road must be done to facilitate the implementation of the paid road or Electronic Road Pricing (ERP). Restrictions on motorcycles later will accelerate the Jakarta Administrations’ target of 60 percent of citizens using public transport by 2029.
"There (the target) is already planned by ERP 2019. When the ERP run, it cannot be applied (free) for motorcycles," said Ellen.
ALFAN HILMI
