Odd and Even Number Policy

Jakarta has an odd and even number policy that is applied to car plates. This policy was applied to replace the three people in one car policy. It is hoped and has proven to reduce air pollution in Jakarta.

In Indonesia, numbers are used for vehicle plates. The end of a vehicle plate number will indicate whether the plate is an even or odd number, such as B XX74 SFH is an even number and B XX79 JUG is an odd number.

The odd and even number policy is only applied to private owned car, so taxi or government owned and other vehicles are not included. This policy is applied to certain area, where this policy is intended to also reduce traffic jams. The odd and even number policy is applied from 06.30 – 10.00 and 15.30 – 20.00.

Recently the odd and even number policy area of effectiveness has been expanded, whereas the hours are added as well. The hours are now 06.00 – 10.00 and 15.00 – 21.00.

Due to this odd and even number policy, there are some concerns that the people of Jakarta will buy more cars just to be able to use private transportation freely. I actually do not blame them.

The problem of this policy is that the times are too long. It is encouraged that people use public transportation, but Jakarta’s public transportation itself is not comfortable enough. There is the problem of the transportation Jakartans take being crowded. Then there is traffic jam, a roundabout route, and pedestrian walk not available and so on. Making the people who are already tired from their daily activity even more tired. The government is still improving itself, but without it being a perfectly comfortable option, it is just hard.

What I believe is not fair about this policy, is that it is only applied to cars. In my opinion, this policy should also be applied to motorcycles. There are so many motorcycles, where these riders would often drive carelessly thus sometimes the reason for traffic jams.

Nothing much can be done about this policy, except to follow it. But hopefully in the near future, Jakarta’s public transportation and pedestrian walk option would be better and greater. So that people would have no reason not to take public transportation and go green.