Interim Jakarta Governor Heru Budi Hartono has announced the city’s plan to conduct a trial of staggered office hours as part of efforts to alleviate the persistent traffic congestion in the Indonesian capital.
The top official revealed yesterday that he had discussed this proposal with several stakeholders, including the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, the Transportation Bureau, and transportation experts, in a focus group discussion.
“The discussion not only revolved around the distribution of working hours but also addressed the pressing issue of traffic congestion in Jakarta. The insights provided by transportation experts will be put to the test to determine whether it can be implemented without causing disruptions to the public’s comfort and productivity. We will then report the findings to the Ministry of Transportation,” he said.
Traffic congestion has consistently topped the list of complaints from the public, according to surveys.
Heru pointed out that the traffic situation at 6am sees residents from Bekasi, Tangerang, and Depok all commuting to Jakarta simultaneously.
“In finding a solution, we are considering options such as having some employees start work at 8:00 AM while others begin at 10:00 AM,” he elaborated.
Heru emphasized that input from associations, building owners, and relevant ministries would play a crucial role in future discussions regarding congestion mitigation strategies.
Meanwhile, Doni Hermawan, the Deputy Director of Traffic Unit at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, stressed the urgent need to address traffic congestion in Jakarta. He believes that adjusting working hours could serve as a potential solution.
“The regulation of working hours may prove to be an effective solution, and its efficacy will be tested during the trial period,” he remarked.
