Jakarta Police Chief, Inspector General Karyoto, has established a specialized ‘Congestion Breaking Team’ to tackle the persistent traffic congestion in Jakarta. Despite a significant 50% reduction in vehicle volume on weekends, traffic jams continue to plague the city, leaving officials puzzled.
Karyoto explained, “On weekends, from Sunday to Saturday, the number of vehicles in Jakarta decreases by more than 50%. This is because many employees working in Jakarta reside in surrounding areas like Depok, Bekasi, and Tangerang. It’s quite surprising that traffic jams still occur on Saturdays and Sundays.”
He made these remarks during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, as reported by Detiknews.
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The newly formed team comprises various units, including the Traffic Unit, Samapta, and Brimob. To ensure swift movement through congested areas, team members will use motorcycles rather than cars, which could get stuck in traffic themselves.
“Using motorcycles allows them to navigate quickly to critical points and take necessary actions to manage traffic flow effectively,” Karyoto added.
The team will employ a strategy of open and close traffic engineering at congested locations, prioritizing the longest traffic queues. “When congestion occurs, we adjust traffic lights and implement additional measures, known as discretion. We focus on the longest queues first, giving them more time to clear,” Karyoto elaborated.
Congestion Breaking Team’s Schedule and Operations
The Congestion Breaking Team has already begun its operations, targeting key congestion points identified through field observations. In the mornings, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, the team dynamically addresses traffic jams on arterial routes in Jakarta’s buffer zones, particularly along the Kalimalang to Daan Mogot route.
Kombes Pol Ade Ary Syam Indradi, Head of Public Relations for the Metro Jaya Police, highlighted the team’s strategy. “We have deployed 90 personnel to high-traffic areas, supported by the Sabhara and Brimob teams.
Additionally, 45 official motorcycles are in use to ensure officers can respond quickly and regulate traffic flow more efficiently,” Ade stated, as reported by Kumparan.
In the afternoons and evenings, the team shifts its focus to managing the outflow of vehicles from Jakarta. Between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM, their efforts concentrate on major traffic hotspots such as Sudirman-Thamrin and Gatot Subroto roads.
This targeted approach aims to alleviate congestion during peak hours and improve overall traffic conditions in the city.
By deploying a combination of strategic planning, rapid response units, and adaptive traffic management techniques, the Congestion Breaking Team hopes to bring much-needed relief to Jakarta’s chaotic roadways.
Cover: Photo by el Jusuf/pexels
