TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administration is preparing six strategies to cope with the imminent arrival of low-cost green cars (LCGC) on the capital’s streets next months. The six strategies are the construction of mass rapid transit (MRT) and monorail projects, the purchase of 1,000 large and mid-size buses, increased parking tariffs, the odd-even license plate restriction, and electronic road pricing (ERP) system.
Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki T. Purnama ensured that the ERP would kick off soon. He said the city administration were lobbying several state enterprises to invest in the program. “So far BRI and Bank Mandiri have shown their interest,” Ahok said.
Despite the bank showing their interest, Ahok said chances remain open to other companies to invest in the Rp2 trillion-project.
“It’s like a beauty pageant. We are looking for those who can come up with cheaper fees, better technology, and without irregularities,” he said. Ahok explained the fund to finance the implementation of ERP should not be stemming from the regional budget (APBD), as stipulated by the mid-term regional development plan (RPJMD).
He also said the National Development Planning Agency (BPPN) had formulated the procedures for the ERP tender and regulations on the ERP implementation in the capital.
Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) analyst Darmaningtiyas suggested the government invest in the ERP. He said this would expedite the implementation of the ERP and the government would see the return of investment (ROI) within the next three to five years. “So the government can use the money from the ERP tariffs to fix public transports,” he said.
Chairman of Commission B of the Jakarta Regional Representatives Council (DPRD DKI Jakarta) Selamat Nurdin said the Jakarta administration had never consulted the DPRD on the implementation of ERP. However, he said he favored the Jakarta governor’s policy to curb the growth of LCGC in the capital. “He’s made the right decision,” he said.
Selamat suggested the governor issue new regulations to limit the circulation of LCGC in Jakarta by, among others, increasing vehicle tax. “Jakarta can also join hands with Tangerang, Depok, and Bekasi in refusing LCGCs,” the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician said.
Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has refused to attend the 2013 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS), which also features a string of LCGCs. “If mass transports are ready, it won’t be a problem even if private cars are given freely,” he said.
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