Observers Call ERP Can Reduce Congestion And Encourage Citizens To Use Public Transportation

An atmosphere of congestion on Jalan Tanah Bang Raya/ Photo: Bitor Ekin Putra

JAKARTA - The congestion of vehicle traffic on the roads of the capital Jakarta is increasingly difficult to control. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government plans to implement a paid road program or electronic road pricing (ERP) in the near future.

Hearing the news, Transportation Policy analyst Azas Tigor Nainggolan supports the ERP implementation plan in the era of the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono. The reason is, the plan to implement electronic road pricing has been discussed since several years ago, but it has not been implemented.

"I support it, immediately. The Acting Governor should immediately (establish the ERP) because so far the Transportation Agency is not clear. I think the Acting Governor should make it happen in 2023," said Azas when confirmed by VOI, Tuesday, January 10.

Azas assessed that the application of electronic road pricing (ERP) could reduce congestion in the city of Jakarta.

"I think it has been delayed for quite a while and it is time that it must be done immediately, because later it can be used for electronic surveillance," he said.

Later, continued Azas, ERP can reduce congestion because the paid road is more efficient than the odd-even (gage) implementation.

"Because he is electronic, ERP is electronic road pricing, he is like a toll road but different. It (ERP) is more efficient in controlling private motorcycles in the area," he said.

As is known, the DKI Provincial Government in the Raperda lists 25 street names that will be applied by ERP, namely Jl. South Gate, Jl Gajah Mada, Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Jl. Majapahit, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan Moh Husni Thamrin, Jl. Jend Sudirman, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, Jl. Panglima Polim, Jl. Fatmawati, Jl. Suryopranoto, Jl. Balikpapan, Jl. Kyai Caringin, Jalan Tomang Raya, Jl. Jend. S Parman, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. MT Haryono.

Next is Jl. MT Haryono, Jl. DI Panjaitan, Jl. Jend Ahmad Yani, Jalan Pramuka, Jl. Salemba Raya, Jl Kramat Raya, Jl. Pasar Senen, Jl. Gunung Sahari and Jl. HR Rasuna Said.

"I hope that with the present, ERP can be run immediately because it can reduce congestion in Jakarta," he said.

Azas further said that his party had held discussions related to ERP since 2010. Then in 5 years ago, discussions were re-discussed but were not implemented.

"I support it. So that ERP can overcome the problem of congestion in Jakarta. So people who are still using private vehicles, they must be ready to pay if they use the road. If they are unable to pay, then they have taken public transportation," he said.

Previously, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, said that his party was targeting the paid road system or electronic road pricing (ERP) in Jakarta to be implemented this year, after the completion of the formulation of the rules.

"The preparation of the regulation (erP implementation) is targeted this year to be completed. I cannot confirm the middle or end of the year. What is clear is this year," Syafrin told reporters, Tuesday, January 10.