Bus firms warned to discipline drivers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Land Transportation and Traffic Control
\nAgency is threatening to revoke the operation licenses of bus
\ncompanies and other public transit vehicle firms whose drivers
\nfrequently violate route regulations.<\/p>\n
HM Djuhdi, head of the agency's transportation business
\ndevelopment office, said over the weekend that the drivers of the
\ncompanies to face the stern actions chronically refuse to enter
\nbus terminals on their designated routes.<\/p>\n
Bus drivers frequently cut short their routes to avoid
\nentering terminals because they often have to wait in long lines
\nto pick up passengers.<\/p>\n
\"In the initial stage of the crackdown, we will give warnings
\nto the companies whose drivers violate the existing rules. If the
\ncompanies are not able to instill discipline in their drivers we
\nwill revoke their operating licenses,\" Djuhdi told Antara.<\/p>\n
He made the remarks in response to the high rate of violations
\nby Metromini and Mikrolet bus drivers. Other violations include
\nexceeding load capacity limits and the deadline for vehicle
\nroadworthiness examinations.<\/p>\n
Djuhdi said that he does not agree with the drivers'
\ncomplaints that their routes are too long.<\/p>\n
\"The routes are given to the companies based on their own
\nrequests when they made proposals for their operations,\" he said.
\nThe proposals are later discussed by agency officials with the
\nbus owners and representatives of the Jakarta Chapter of the
\nAssociation of Land Transportation Owners.<\/p>\n
Trial operations<\/p>\n
He explained that based on the discussions, the agency issues
\na decree for trial operations on the route for three months. At
\nthe end of the trial period and evaluation is made.<\/p>\n
\"The trial operation is designed to prevent the possibility of
\nproblems from arising later and at the same time it is used to
\nmonitor whether the public really needs transportation services
\non the route,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Djuhdi said that the drivers forcing passengers to get off the
\nbuses before entering terminals, or stopping at bus shelters, are
\nonly thinking of their wallets.<\/p>\n
\"For example, a bus driver drops passengers off anywhere he
\npleases because he wants to make a U-turn which will enable him
\nto pick up and transport a greater number of passengers,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
His office has received many reports saying that public
\ntransit vehicles serving the route between Kampung Rambutan in
\nEast Jakarta and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta frequently make
\nU-turns at Kampung Melayu and the Indonesian Christian
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
Djuhdi said further that his office, in cooperation with the
\ncity police, is currently evaluating the overall operations of
\npublic transit vehicles.<\/p>\n
\"The agency is also considering the possibility of
\nintensifying control over the operation of public transit
\nvehicles along the elevated roads in response to complaints that
\nthey are causing traffic jams,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The agency's chief, JP Sepang, ordered owners of buses and
\nother public transit vehicles operating in the capital on
\nThursday to bring their fleets up to standard to improve service
\nand facilitate traffic flow.<\/p>\n
He gave the order to help improve the image of Jakarta in the
\neyes of the delegates and other guests of the upcoming Asia-
\nPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (hhr)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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