Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta administration, on Tuesday, kicked off the implementation of the odd-even license plate scheme in a bid to ease traffic congestion on certain main roads of the capital.

The odd-even license plate scheme officially came into effect after it was considered successful during trials conducted from July until August this year.

The new congestion-control scheme, which replaced the "three-in-one" system implemented previously, is expected to reduce traffic jams on certain main roads, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Budiyanto of the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police stated here, Tuesday.

Under the new system, vehicles with license plates ending in an odd number will have access to busy routes throughout the city during rush hour on odd-numbered dates of the month, while those with even-numbered plates will be able to access the routes on even-numbered dates.

The system is effective from Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time and again from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time. The traffic restriction is not applied on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.

The restriction is applied on Sudirman, Thamrin, and part of Gatot Subroto roads.

A joint team comprising police personnel and officers of the transportation office and the Jakarta provincial administration has been deployed to guard the implementation of the system.

Those found violating the regulation will be given a ticket and fined up to Rp500 thousand.

The odd-even scheme is a transitional system before the Jakarta authorities will apply an electronic road pricing system.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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