Motorists to pay for emissions tests

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Car owners now have to watch out for a new emissions testing speed bump -- or else pay additional charges when visiting repair shops for regular maintenance.

A new system for emissions testing launched by Governor Fauzi Bowo on Monday authorizes 214 workshops across the city to check cars for carbon emissions and do repairs, passing costs on to vehicle owners.

The carbon emissions testing scheme, dubbed Independent Payment System, was initiated by the Partnership for Clean Emissions and the City Environmental Management Agency. They target 1 million cars tested by the end of 2008.

The new system is an expansion of a 2005 bylaw on air pollution, which aims to reduce pollution through a cooperative effort involving the city and private garages.

"We hope this joint effort between car shops and the city administration results in more days of good air quality this year," Fauzi said.

Jakarta had 54 good quality air days in 2007, higher compared to 45 days in 2006, but much lower than the 108 good air days in 2000, according to official reports.

Emissions tests became mandatory in 2000, but were stalled due to a shortage of technicians and garages certified to carry out tests, a limited budget and even a lack of stickers, according to Budirama Natakusumah, head of the city's environment management board.

In 2006, stickers actually ran out.

Compliance is also weak because the vehicle registration office, which is under the Police, doesn't follow a rule requiring testing for vehicle registration renewal.

"But now, with the new system, we hope to avoid all the problems we had and be rid of further air pollution," Budirama said.

Only one percent of the estimated 2.5 million cars in Jakarta were tested in 2006 due to low public environmental awareness. A gubernatorial decree issued last year mandates regular testing.

Lukman Neno, a university student who drives a Honda Jazz, said the payment system wasn't fair.

"I agree that emissions tests are important, but I don't want to pay 100 percent of the fees if I have to just clean up my exhaust because my carbon emission's too high. It would be too much," he said.

Repair shops are free to determine what to do with vehicles failing the test, including expensive engine maintenance. (anw)