The odd-even traffic rule has been suspended for as long as the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) protocol has been in effect in Jakarta, and it is set to remain that way despite the capital having eased restrictions related to COVID-19.
With many Jakartans returning to work, there have been talks that the rule — which only allows cars with license plates ending with an even number to be used on affected major roads on even calendar dates and vice-versa for odd dates — would be restored and be applied to motorcycles as well.
However, the Jakarta Transportation Agency today stated that odd-even policy would only return with a Gubernatorial Decree (Pergub) by Governor Anies Baswedan.
“The enforcement of odd-even does not only depend on traffic conditions. We also have to evaluate public transportation systems,” Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Syafrin Liputo said during a meeting with the Jakarta City Council yesterday.
As such, Syafrin said the odd-even rule is unnecessary if Jakartans obey COVID-19 protocols, particularly a rule requiring workplaces to limit the number of workers at their offices to 50 percent.
“If everyone obeys, based on our simulations, odd-even would be unnecessary because current public transportation capacity would suffice and road traffic would be manageable,” he said.
Even before Jakarta entered the transition period of PSBB last week, under which many workplace and public restrictions were eased, vehicles have jammed some of the capital’s roads as if the pandemic never happened. Public transportation services have also been busy in the past couple of weeks.
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