Jakarta to reimpose odd-even vehicle plate policy to deter unnecessary trips amid coronavirus outbreak

The odd-even traffic policy is aimed at preventing the accumulation of travelers on the road. PHOTO: REUTERS

JAKARTA (THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Jakarta administration will reimpose the odd-even licence plate policy for vehicles on Monday (Aug 3) in an effort to limit unnecessary car travel as the Covid-19 pandemic wears on.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Syafrin Liputo said the odd-even traffic policy aimed to prevent the accumulation of travellers on the road.

"We hope the policy will deter people from making unnecessary trips. For example, cars with odd-numbered licence plates would stay at home," he said last Friday (July 31), as reported by kompas.com.

"The pattern (of restrictions) is expected to decrease traffic volume and, most importantly, ensure that there will not be an accumulation in public spaces."

Under the policy, vehicles with licence plates ending with odd numbers will be allowed to travel only on odd-numbered dates in 25 major streets in Jakarta during peak hours.

Those ending with even plate numbers can travel in these Jakarta streets on even dates only.

The peak hours are between 6am and 10am, and 4pm and 9pm on weekdays.

The policy was lifted by the administration in the early days of the Covid-19 outbreak in March.

Mr Syafrin said the administration decided to reimpose the policy, as traffic has been increasing as the city began its transition out of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to curb the pandemic.

"From our analysis, the traffic volume in some parts of the capital has increased beyond the normal condition before the pandemic," he said.

The 25 thoroughfares where the policy will be enforced include Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan MH Thamrin, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and Jalan Gatot Subroto.

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