Transportation Improvements Considered Solution To Overcome Jakarta Pollution

DOC/ANTARA PHOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/nym/pri)

JAKARTA - Transportation Observer from the University of Indonesia (UI) Ellen Tangkudung, assesses that the improvement of the transportation sector is a solution to overcome air pollution in Jakarta.

"In my opinion, to reduce air pollution, the only road is in terms of transportation," said Ellen as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 15.

According to him, air pollution in Jakarta is caused by mobility and emissions of motorized vehicles. Therefore, the solution to reducing air pollution is to fix the transportation system to be more environmentally friendly.

Ellen explained that several mechanisms have been applied to overcome air pollution, especially in terms of reducing vehicle emissions.

Although there are already regulations for reducing emissions that apply to DKI Jakarta, Ellen reminded that these steps must be expanded to the Jabodetabek area, considering that the air does not recognize administrative boundaries.

One of the concrete steps that Ellen emphasized was the application of exhaust emission checks. He reminded the importance of following the rules set to ensure that vehicles maintain the allowed emission standards.

In her efforts to reduce pollution, Ellen also highlighted the importance of encouraging the use of electric vehicles. However, she realized that the price of electric vehicles is still an obstacle for the community.

For this reason, the provision of subsidies for electric vehicles needs to be supported by easier requirements and more affordable mechanisms.

In addition, Ellen emphasized that public transportation based on electric vehicles must also be the main focus.

He appreciated Transjakarta's efforts to present electric buses. However, he said, the transition of public transportation to electricity must also be carried out by other modes of public transportation.

"But not only electric buses, but also Jaklingko, microtrans, that is also electricity. So the purpose and purpose of all transportation master plans developed in DKI Jakarta activities must go there all of them. including the provision of SPKLU (public electric vehicle charging station)," he said.

Ellen also mentioned about community mobilization. He said that the COVID-19 pandemic has proven that reducing mobility can have a positive impact on air quality.

Ellen also assessed that the government's discourse to re-implement work from home (WFH) to employees could have a positive impact on reducing air pollution in Jakarta.

According to him, efforts to overcome the problem of air pollution in Jakarta must also involve the freight transportation sector. He said logistics transport trucks contributed to air pollution in Jakarta.

"There are many on toll roads in Jakarta trucks at low speed, the exhaust gas is very high. How to make the transportation of goods in Jakarta not only transported by four-wheeled vehicles or more, but there is also a mechanism for transporting logistics goods by train. So it is diverted because the train is quite large, the capacity is large," he said.

Ellen assessed that if the mechanisms were carried out accompanied by mutual awareness and support from various parties, air pollution in Jakarta could gradually decrease.