10th July 2008. Car-free day will be held on Jl. Letjen. Suprapto for the first time this Sunday, the Central Jakarta administration said Wednesday. "Because of limited funds, we plan to carry out the car-free program on that street once a year," Central Jakarta Deputy Mayor Chaerudin said. "We will gage public response to determine whether we can afford to hold the event more often."
He said the event would cost the municipality Rp 25 million (US$2,688). The car-free program, which will apply from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature a free emissions test booth, a bazaar, fun bikes, gymnastics and drawing, futsal and dance competitions. "We chose Jl. Letjen. Suprapto because it fits the seven requirements for a car-free day site," Chaerudin said.
The requirements include low air quality during rush hour, a length of more than two kilometers, existing public transportation routes and the presence of offices, trade centers and residential areas. Similar to the car-free days held on Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin each month, the car-free day on Jl. Letjen. Suprapto will only allow public transportation vehicles, such as TransJakarta buses and Metromini minivans, to run. "The road will be closed to private cars, motorcycles, taxis and three-wheeled vehicles," Chaerudin said.
Ahmad Safrudin, chairman of the Joint Committee for the Phaseout of Leaded Gasoline, said the event would allow local residents to enjoy fun outdoor activities and clean open spaces. "The air along this street is heavily polluted everyday. People will enjoy better air on the car-free day as well as have a place for activities," he said. He said with car-free days, the level of microparticles, averaging 150 micrograms per meter cubic throughout Jakarta, could be reduced by 30 to 60 percent.
Widiarso, 25, a bank employee from Cempaka Tengah, near Jl. Letjen. Suprapto, said he welcomed the idea of car-free day on the street. "I am very irritated with the air pollution in the area. I cannot stand the fumes that the Metrominis emit. They cover me with smog when I ride my bike along the street," he said. Abdul Malik, head of the Central Jakarta Environmental Management Board, said it would take at least five years to gain public acceptance for car-free day on Jl. Letjen. Suprapto.
Car-free days often draw complaints from drivers because they cause abysmal congestions along other roads. Jakarta's first car-free day was held on Sept. 22, 2002, on Jl. Sudirman, stretching from the Senayan traffic circle in South Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta.
It was carried out once in 2003, twice in 2004, once again in 2005 and three times in 2007. In 2008, it has been held every month. There was no car-free day in 2006 because the city administration was reviewing a municipal bylaw on the program.
