Truck Restriction Cancelled, City Toll Congested Again

Jakarta, metropostnews.com - The cancellation of truck operational restriction on city toll (JTDK) policy which supposed to be applied until June 10, 2011, has caused congestion on toll roads. In fact, until this afternoon, more and more heavy transports entered city toll which made the congestion longer.

Operator Officer for Traffic Management Center (TMC) City Police Aiptu Rahman said since 5 AM the total of heavy vehicle entered city toll was still normal. But, it increases rapidly after 10 AM.

According to him, during the policy applied, traffic flow on JTDK at rush hour was smoother than today. “However, no traffic congestion occurred in artery road until now,” he admitted, Friday (5/27).

The City Traffic Police Chief Sr. Comr. Royke Lumowa stated residents must accept the traffic congestion consequence of the truck which permitted to pass on city toll in the afternoon. But in fact, the policy has created positive impacts. One of them was felt by public transportation entrepreneurs who claimed they gain more profit during it implemented. “They admitted their trip increased from three trips to five trips per day,” he expressed.

The decision of heavy transport allowed to entered city toll this afternoon is based on meeting result in Economic Affairs Ministry office on Thursday (5/26) night which not reached an agreement. The meeting led by Economic Affairs Ministry Hatta Rajasa was filled with debates because each party sticks with their opinion. (dya)