DKI Opens Discourse On Reimplementing Odd-Even License Plate Regulation, Observer: Do Not Rush!

JAKARTA - Head of the DKI Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, has opened discourse on re-implementing the odd-even system on a number of roads in the capital.

However, the Director of the Institute for Transportation Studies (Instran) Deddy Herlambang considers that odd-even has not been properly applied. Because currently the COVID-19 pandemic is still not under control and not all people have received the COVID-19 vaccination.

"It would be better if the odd-even application was postponed first. Unless all levels of society have received the vaccine, odd-even engineering can be applied again", said Deddy in his statement, Friday, June 4.

According to Deddy, if the current odd-even (GAGE) applies again, there will be a buildup in public transportation such as KRL, MRT, and LRT. This has the potential to increase the spread of COVID-19.

"In mid-2020, when the GAGE was implemented, KRL piled up. As a result, the number of COVID-19 suspect cases increased as well", said Deddy.

Until now, the capacity of mass public transport is still limited to 50 percent of the normal capacity. Thus, the number of passengers and carrying capacity becomes unbalanced if the GAGE is applied.

Moreover, the number of informal workers is actually more than the number of formal workers. WFH is only for formal workers, while informal workers must work in the field.

"Most importantly, we succeeded in suppressing the spread of the virus in the transportation sector and along with the linear wheels of the economy, it continued to advance", he explained.

Previously, the Head of the DKI Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, said that the odd-even plan would be made gradually and more loosely than before. Before the pandemic, the DKI Provincial Government imposed odd-even on 25 roads.

"We entered with a proposal for easing in terms of implementing odd-even, but gradually", Syafrin told reporters, Wednesday, June 2.

Syafrin admitted that his party will identify which roads are the most complete destinations for travelers, and have complete public transportation facilities.

"We can identify odd-even where we will strengthen public transportation services. Is it Transjakarta, KRL, MRT, LRT, and other public transportation services", said Syafrin.

With the odd-even implementation, Syafrin admitted that there would be an increase in the number of public transport users. Therefore, the DKI Provincial Government will increase the transport capacity of the LRT, Transjakarta, and MRT. Thus, passengers who switch from private vehicles can be facilitated.

However, the odd-even implementation plan also takes into account the development of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta.

"We'll see first how the trend of positive cases in Jakarta, even in Greater Jakarta as a whole. Then we enter into the proposal for easing from the side of the odd-even application", explained Syafrin.