This year alone, the government set aside Rp3.8 trillion for the toll road management board (BPJT) for land clearance while a budget for a mass transport system is far lower than that figure.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government now needs to develop a mass rapid transport (MRT)system to overcome traffic jams in big cities like Jakarta, an observer said.

"Now is the time for the government to give a special attention to the development of mass rapid transportation system. This is one of the keys to overcome traffic woes in big cities, including Jakarta," Djoko Setijowarno, a transportation expert of the Semarang-based Soegijopranoto Catholic University, said here on Sunday.

He made the comments in response to the government`s plan to establish a Jakarta Transportation Authority (OTJ) to overcome traffic congestion in Jakarta.

Djoko said that so far the government had ignored the mass rapid transportation system while focusing on providing subsidized fuel oil for private cars and building smooth road infrastructure such as toll roads.

"This year alone, the government set aside Rp3.8 trillion for the toll road management board (BPJT) for land clearance while a budget for a mass transport system is far lower than that figure," he said.

The government should give priorities to a public transportation system which could support passengers` safety but energy efficient, he said.

He said that the development of a mass transport system in Jakarta needed only 1.3 trillion per annum.

"If there are funds available for the development of mass transportation, Transjakarta buses for 15 corridors and train services for Jakarta and its buffer towns, the traffic jams could be overcome," he said.

Earlier, Jakarta Deputy Governor Prijanto admitted that Jakarta had always follow Singapore in overcoming traffic jams, such as its mass rapid transport model and electronic road pricing (ERP) sstem.

"You should not kick a fuss over how to overcome traffic woes, Jakarta can just follow the system and policy applied in Singapore," he said.

Therefore, he said, the public should not worry about the imposition of such systems as 3-in-1, restriction of vehicles based on their police numbers, vehicles` colors and prepaid road systems.

"These systems are proven to be effective in Singapore," he said.

(A014)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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