citizens of the capital wanted a better future by voting for Jokowi, who many considered to be the ideal candidate to bring positive change to the Big Durian . Jakarta badly need a complete integrated transportation plan for the future and it was exactly what he had promised. The highlight of the new plan was, among others, the MRT project as expected. Now that he's put in power, it is time to deliver.
The frames, whether in business or government, are often judged by their actions in their first 100 days. First 100 days of Jokowi as "Numero Uno" and Jakarta are almost the MRT project has yet to see the light of day. In recent weeks, it was a bit funny to read about the constant change in the state for the MRT project. Titles like "MRT gets go ahead" were printed in the newspaper yesterday followed contradictory "MRT provides securities pending" in the paper the next day.
Jokowi inherited its MRT project predecessor, who also inherited from his predecessor, who inherited from his predecessor (need I go on?). the idea own MRT Jakarta has been put forward in the 1980s
fast forward 20 years, the beginning of the MRT project was postponed again and again. instead of speeding up the process to make MRT a reality, Jokowi had put the plan on hold, pending the outcome of constant renegotiations with different stakeholders, which should be resolved by mid or late January 2013.
the current snag lies in Jokowi negotiate with the central government on additional funding. Jokowi asked the central government to repay a larger portion a loan of $ 1.5 billion of the Japanese international cooperation Agency (JICA) will be used to finance the project of MRT and provide grants to cover the operations of MRT.
Another cause of delay is that Jokowi wants to renegotiate certain contractual clauses that hold the government fully responsible in the proposed multi-billion dollar city. Why should he put his neck on the chopping block when the company owned by the city, PT MRT (which was created to implement the project) was not to be held responsible if something went wrong?
Feasibility studies have been conducted on several occasions; all leading to the common conclusion that Jakarta really needs an MRT system to transport the masses. The construction of the MRT system would be very beneficial for the citizens of Jakarta; provided that the stations at strategic locations and ticket prices are reasonable. The initial price of the ticket provided was approximately USD4 (before grants) to cover the huge costs of the project. Jokowi believes that the ideal price should be less than USD1, which is similar to other countries. However, even at US $ 1 it may still be unaffordable for as much as fifty percent of Indonesia's population lives on less than US $ 2 per day. We must not forget that the main purpose of the construction of the MRT is to transport all persons, including those with low incomes. Thus, the ticket price should be adjusted accordingly to consider those in the lowest income group.
Besides the MRT project, Jokowi has recently announced a plan to end traffic jams in Jakarta. He planned to do away with the system and limit access current vehicle 3-in-1 to some city streets on alternate days based on license plate numbers. Under its proposed plan, cars with odd-numbered license plates would be allowed on the streets on odd dates and vice versa.
Although it may seem mathematically possible to reduce 50% of cars on the road, he probably did not take into account that the middle or upper class may have more a car in their garage to counter this system. Therefore, I do not think that cars would be significantly reduced, but eventually greatly affect those who have a vehicle and whose livelihood depends on the use the car for daily errands; as the florist that can deliver daily pairs because his truck ending in an even number.
The target date for implementation is in March 2013, so if your situation is as the flower mentioned above, or you buy another vehicle with an odd number plate or get your SIM bike today , available at Polda (seat of the district police) near you.
One of my new year resolutions for 2013 is to reduce my waistline balloon reducing late night dinners. I usually refrain from driving to my favorite nasi goreng stall of citing traffic congestion as a reason. However, once Jokowi successfully reduced traffic congestion in Jakarta, I can not be able to keep that resolution. Again, without a Jakarta traffic is something I've always dreamed of and I would not mind breaking my resolution if it materializes.