PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Congestion is one of the main challenges faced by the City of Bandung. Acting Mayor of Bandung, A. Koswara, stated that transportation solutions must be carried out comprehensively, including regulating operating hours and providing mass transportation.

"Congestion in big cities like Bandung is a common problem due to rapid population growth and limited infrastructure. The government must ensure the availability of adequate public facilities," he said at Bandung City Hall (11/2/2025).

Koswara explained that the Bandung City Government has conducted a study on three aspects of operating hours, namely school hours, government working hours, and commercial operating hours.

"The research results show that regulating government working hours can have a significant impact on reducing traffic jams," he said.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of consistent mass transportation development.

"If mass transportation is available, then private vehicles must be controlled, for example by implementing an odd-even system, high parking rates, or toll roads," he explained.

According to Koswara, the Inner City Toll Road (Urban Transport Bypass Toll Road – BUTR) project designed by the central government must also be balanced with strengthening public transportation within the city.

"Inner-city toll roads are not the final solution. If there is no good public transportation system, traffic jams will continue to occur," he said.

Koswara hopes that transportation policies in the city of Bandung can be implemented consistently and not change every time the leadership changes.

"There must be continuity of policy so that the prepared solutions do not stop midway," he explained.

Koswara also reminded the public that if we want to overcome traffic jams, we all have to change the way we move, from private vehicles to public transportation.

"Currently, public transportation users in Bandung are only around 12%. If in the future there is a better mass transportation system, I invite the public to start switching to using public transportation," he concluded. (Bandung City Communication and Information Service/Fauziah)