The trial of the new odd-even rush hour traffic rule started on July 27, and, judging by some of the anecdotal evidence we’ve seen online, many feel like it hasn’t had much of a positive impact.
But according to the Jakarta Transportation Department, the odd-even has already proven to be quite a success. The agency claims that since the trial began, they have observed a 24.8% decrease in congestion, based on the number of cars passing through the roads covered by the new rule. He also cited an increase in the number of Transjakarta bus passengers during the same period.
(READ: Police catch car using THREE license plates to cheat the odd-even traffic rule)
“The results of the one week evaluation is an average decline in travel times and a comparable increase in average speeds,” said Sigit Widjatmoko, deputy head of the Transportation Department, said as quoted by Tribunnews.
Sigit said that traffic conditions had not stabilized yet as the rule was still new and was not being enforced with tickets yet. He said that the goal was to reduce overall congestion by 40%, which he said should be achievable once drivers face actual fines for violating the policy. Fines will be given out after the trial period ends, which may happen as soon as next week. The Transportation Agency is apparently asking the police to end the trial period, which was supposed to last one month, today so that they can begin fining odd-even rulebreakers on Monday, August 8, as the agency feel the policy has already been socialized sufficiently.
