Jakarta to implement "car free day" every week

The Jakarta Post Thu, 09/11/2008 9:10 PM Jakarta
The Jakarta car free day will be held every Sunday instead of once a month as previously implemented, according to the City Administration.

Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo on Thursday told reporters that cleaner air was essential for creating healthy living, which should be in line with the city's growth in prosperity.
"(The car free day) will be implemented once a week soon," he said.

Fauzi also hinted that the no car day, which spans from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m., may be implemented at other routes besides the Sudirman-Thamrin road.

"Only this way we can get more appreciation from the world while creating a healthier Jakarta," he said.

According to an official figure from the city administration, on Sept. 22, 2007, the car free day initiative reduced dust pollution by 36.85 percent and carbon monoxide by 50.3 percent.

However, recently some analysts said traffic congestion caused by the initiative was producing more pollution from idle cars compared to normal traffic conditions.