Bus firms should 'educate' drivers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Bus companies and owners are responsible for
\neducating their drivers about road safety, a senior official said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The head of City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), J.P.
\nSepang, said the routine training provided by the government was
\ninadequate due to limited funds and facilities.<\/p>\n
A special course for public transportation drivers is held in
\nSerpong, Tangerang twice a year.<\/p>\n
\"Remember that the training given by the municipality is only
\ncomplementary. The main education has to be provided by the bus
\ncompanies which hire the drivers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sepang was commenting on the increase in road accidents
\ninvolving public buses, which are notorious for their poor
\nservice and reckless driving.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, a mob set fire to two U-24 Metromini buses plying
\nthe Senen-Tanjung Priok route after one of them fatally hit two
\npedestrians and seriously injured another on Jl. Sunter Jaya,
\nNorth Jakarta.<\/p>\n
PT Metromini promised Wednesday that it would compensate
\nrelatives of the two people killed.<\/p>\n
Operations manager Maninting Panjaitan said the company would
\nalso offer compensation to the surviving victim and owners of the
\ntwo roadside houses badly damaged in the accident.<\/p>\n
Three days after the Sunter accident, another Metromini bus T-
\n47 plying the Pondok Kopi - Senen route hit and severely injured
\na motorcyclist before it rammed into an electricity pole near
\nJembatan Serong in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
City traffic police chief Col. Fachrudin B. called on city bus
\ndrivers Thursday to stop driving recklessly. He said between two
\nand three people died in road accidents in Greater Jakarta every
\nday.<\/p>\n
Sepang said reckless driving was to blame for most accidents.<\/p>\n
\"Bus owners should be selective in choosing drivers,\" he said.
\n\"They cannot expect the municipality to take care of the
\ndrivers.\"<\/p>\n
Choosing a driver is like choosing a maid, the employer should
\nfirst teach the new worker how to get about safely, he said. In
\nthe driver's case, Jakarta's chaotic streets are his\/her
\nworkplace.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso also expressed concern Wednesday over bus
\ndrivers' lack of discipline and called for severe punitive action
\nto be taken against reckless drivers.<\/p>\n
\"Revoke their driver's permit permanently if necessary. The
\nrising number of road accidents is outrageous because the
\ngovernment has done its best to provide the drivers with skills
\nthrough courses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
When asked if it was possible for the city administration to
\nset up a special school for drivers, he said it was impossible
\nfor the upcoming fiscal year.<\/p>\n
\"As you know the city is short of money now. It is impossible
\nto build such a school.\"<\/p>\n
Head of the traffic division of DLLAJ Oriyanto Sapardal told
\nthe Post that the Sunter Metromini accident was still under
\npolice investigation.<\/p>\n
\"The driver may have his license revoked,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In the mean time, the Metromini U-24 route has been altered
\ntemporarily for fear of a possible attack by Sunter residents
\nenraged by Sunday's accident. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bus-firms-should-educate-drivers-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}