[250511.EN.LAN] Jakarta Bans Container Trucks From Inner City Road, Minister Decrees Otherwise

DESPITE a threatened strike and a contrary decree from the transport minister, the metropolitain government of Indonesia's capital city Jakarta has banned container and heavy trucks from the inner-city toll road until June 10.

The Organisation of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), representing 16,000 trucks, urged members to strike if the ban remains in place.

The Transport Ministry renewed its call on the Jakarta administration to lift a ban with the ministry land transport director-general Suroyo Alimoeso saying the city should not only cater to private car owners who benefitted from the ban, but also consider economic losses resulting from the policy.

The city has been planning to impose a total ban on trucks on the inner-city toll road, to reduce congestion, especially during rush hour. Data shows that container trucks account for 30 per cent of vehicles on toll roads during rush hour.

Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo vowed the city will stick with the ban. "We have decided what's best. I don't know what the transport minister took as consideration for his disapproval," said Mr Fauzi.

Transport Minister Freddy Numberi issued a decree against the truck ban. Municipal transportation agency chief Udar Pristono said that he had received a copy.

But Mr Pristono appeared defiant: "The city will continue with the truck ban trial. We need to see how effective the ban is to help reducing traffic congestion in Jakarta."

The metropolitain governor, Mr Fauzi, said local government had the right to regulate all matters on its turf except for foreign, financial, defence and security, religious and legal affairs. He also said that the policy did not ban trucks, but redirected them.

Earlier this month, the administration extended a ban on trucks on five sections of the inner-city toll road network for one month after a limited five-day ban on the Cawang-Tomang section in conjunction to the ASEAN Summit.

The ban was later expanded to include four other inner-city toll roads, the Pluit-Tomang section, the Cawang-Tanjung Priok, the Cawang-Pasar Rebo and the Cawang-Cikunir sections. The ban runs from 5am to 10pm.

Source : HKSG, 24.05.11.