Traffic Issues in Jakarta

" ... Dirt, heat, dust and pollution. My skin and lungs passively endure the tortures of the exhaust fumes spat by the vehicles around me. As I arrive at my destination and pay the Ojek driver, I ask myself: WHY DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS TO SAVE ONLY HALF AN HOUR TRAVELLING TIME???" Since i can remember, traffic in Jakarta has always been an issue, and in the last 10 years, this problem has become worse. There are many explanations, such as: too many vehicles on the roads and not enough road space and road users not following the road rules, but what is needed are solutions. Jakarta's population rely heavily on using personal vehicles as the solution for their traveling needs. Furthermore, some families have up to three cars and are used simultaneously throughout the day. One for the father, one for the mother and one for the child or children. With a population of nearly nine million people, the number of vehicles used at the one time is too large for Jakarta's Infrastructure. If a rule was passed to limit the number of vehicles allowed per household, the number of cars passing on the roads at the one time would hugely decrease. The issue of households having several cars being used simultaneously is not only selfishness, but also lack of options. Jakarta's public transport systems are shady at best. The Transjakarta Busway system is badly maintained and the number of operational vehicles does not cover the number of commuters, hence deemed inconvenient. Public buses, trains and shuttle bus services are also poorly maintained and are overcrowded. Families who can afford cars do not look upon public transport as an option rather an inconvenience on the roads, when riding in their personal cars. If the public transport systems are improved and are more convenient than traveling by car, the number of commuters would increase and less would travel by car. Another factor that contributes to Jakarta's traffic issues is road users not respecting the road rules. By not following road signs, traffic lights and even simple rules such as driving in one's lane causes delays and, more importantly, is hazardous and it may cause accidents. These problems occur because of one major issue: lack of policeing. If the police in Jakarta were more diligent and more disciplined, the road rules would seldom be broken and therefore delays would be minimized. With the factors I discussed above, we can conclude: Jakarta needs to improve its public transport systems, limit vehicle purchases per household and improve the police enforcing road rules in order to severely minimize the traffic issues it currently endures. This, in turn, would allow me to minimize my exposure to the heat and pollution I have been enduring everyday to save a mere half an hour. One can only dream.