Jakarta Congestion Reaches 48 Percent, It Means It's Very Congested And Uncomfortable

Congestion in Jakarta / DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - The percentage of road congestion in Jakarta currently reaches 48 percent at the time of leaving and returning from work, so that it causes extraordinary congestion and is uncomfortable for all road users.

"At 07.00-09.00 WIB and coming home from work at 14.00-16.00 WIB, the figure is 48 percent," said Traffic Director of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Latif Usman as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 22.

Latif said the traffic situation at 48 percent was very congested and uncomfortable for all road users.

"If it's already at that number, it's already very dense," he said.

There are several accesses to Jakarta where traffic congestion often occurs during peak hours, including on the Cikampek, Merak and Jagorawi toll roads, but they are empty at 10.00-15.00 WIB.

Meanwhile, access to Jakarta is via arterial routes, which are often crowded during peak hours, including Cakung, Kalimalang, Lenteng Agung, Fatmawati, Lebak Bulus and Daan Mogot.

He also said that the existing traffic police personnel would find it difficult to unravel the congestion until finally the idea emerged to regulate office hours in government, private and educational institutions.

"If they do activities together, they have to hold an apple at 7 am, Jakarta is like being hit by flash floods every day and we downstream must arrange it at the same time," he said.

Latif said the population living in Jakarta has reached around 10 million people and that number will still be increased by about three million people who will enter Jakarta from surrounding areas.

"It needs to be said that the population of Jakarta is already 10 million alone. There are 3 million 300 thousand people who enter Jakarta during the day. So there are around 13 million people," said Latif.

The technical arrangements for the office hours will be handed over to each institution which will later be coordinated further to break down the density during peak hours.

"This requires input and advice from all existing stakeholders, so that there is no overcrowding at 6-9 in the morning," he said.