Congestion charges and proper traffic planning.

(From The Jakarta Post)

The city's integrated three-in-one and TransJakarta Busway plan is certainly worth a try. It is evidence that the city administration is willing to do something about Jakarta's traffic problems though Jakartans are wondering why the three-in-one plan and the Busway project were chosen over other options and why no alternative proposals were put before the public.

If well administered a congestion charge would fare better in popularity and effectiveness than the three-in-one part of the new policy. There are no perfect and final solutions but future transportation improvement plans in the capital city must be even more comprehensive than the current temporary fix.

The fundamental goals of setting traffic policy are many: To ease congestion in busy areas, to optimize the rate of traffic flow, to encourage the use of mass transportation, to lower pollution and noise levels, to lower the number of vehicle accidents.

But there are other issues that affect traffic flow that are too easily dismissed because they seem marginal or are considered separate issues. Assimilating pedestrian traffic, bajaj use, and parking are among the …