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Road Jockeys

One of the unique phonomena on Jakarta roads is the number of people seemingly hitch-hiking on junctions to major main roads at busy hours. There are a lot of them, men and women, old and young, more ragged than neat, but only that they are not really hitch-hiking. They are those self-made "road jockeys" offering to get a ride to help drivers circumventing the "three-in-one" traffic system in Jakarta, at a "market rate" of Rp 5,000 (about US$0.5) per ride.

This fascinating phenomenon elucidates on a few things. Firstly, for all its good intention of solving traffic jams, the 3-in-1 system, ie, each car must have at least 3 persons inside to be allowed on certain roads, is not really working. The emergence of road jockeys is but one obvious loophole to the system. Then there is the challenge to implementation. Occasional enforcement may be possible with police roadblocking at the entrance and exit of a 3-in-1 road. But they don't really want to roadblock to slow down the heavy traffic. In reality, therefore, daring drivers simply ignore the rule, beating the system and denying the jockeys of the modest earning opportunity.

Secondly, the authorities set no legal boundary for any socially acceptable way to make a living, even on those defying civil rules and regulations. That is understable, though not necessarily commendable, given widespread poverty. Another prevalent scene, for example, is the variety of food sales on all streets, over wheeled carts and in tent stalls, for snacks, fruits and whole meals. Outlook is certainly a non-issue to the municipalities.

Thirdly, there is no shortage of entrepreneurial spirit, let alone survival will, from the deprived community, which is indeed best set free in a liberal environment. However messy the streets look, it beats the deplorable scene of beggars.

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