•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   
•    EYEWITNESS   

The search for a solution to Jakarta’s ever worsening traffic congestion, it seems, is still very much in motion. Almost on a weekly basis a new idea is mooted and frankly many do not make sense.

On Wednesday, Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Untung S. Rajab proposed that car sales and production be restricted to ease traffic congestion. This idea comes on the back of earlier proposals of restricting cars either by color or license plates.

The chief inspector is adamant that instead of imposing a color-based restriction on cars to ease the city’s traffic, the authorities should rather restrict car ownership and purchase. This might do the trick but it will have lasting economic consequences given that car sales have been a major driver of gross domestic product growth.

The fact that new proposals are being bandied about on a daily basis indicates that the authorities are desperate. It shows that no serious discussion has taken place and that there is little communication between them. Given the magnitude of the problem at hand, this state of affairs is disappointing and worrying.

The capital’s chronic traffic may be a difficult problem. But it is clear that without a comprehensive approach that involves massive investment in new roads, a mass rapid transit system and a workable system that moderates the car population, residents of the city will have to put up with the daily gridlock.

Quotas on car ownership is not the answer. Such systems almost always fail as they distort the free market and lead to corruption. It would be much better to have an open bidding system for car ownership so it is transparent and fair.

But before any system to restrict private car use or ownership is implemented, commuters must be able to access reliable, comfortable and extensive public transportation. This clearly does not exist in Jakarta or any other major city in the country. If commuters cannot drive to work, how else are they expected to move around?

Transportation is a major economic artery for any country. If people and goods cannot move from one place to another quickly and efficiently, the cost to the country and the economy is huge. Already, billions of dollars are lost each year because of the traffic.

A solution is desperately needed, but throwing around ideas that have not been thought through is unproductive and creates even more confusion.