Most city buses remain at pool<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Seventy percent of 15,390 city buses normally
\nserving the capital did not operate during the election campaign
\nperiod from May 19 to June 4, as bus crew members feared clashes
\nbetween party supporters.<\/p>\n
Aip Sjarifuddin, head of the Jakarta chapter of the
\nOrganization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), said on
\nSaturday that bus crew members were unwilling to work as \"they
\nmay have lost their lives if they did.<\/p>\n
\"This is what executives of bus companies have reported to me.
\nThe executives did their best to persuade the crew members to go
\nto work... but to no avail,\" Aip told The Jakarta Post over the
\nphone.<\/p>\n
\"The crew members were even offered bonuses, but they
\napparently didn't care about the money. They were more worried
\nabout their lives and families. They even suggested that city
\nresidents, who usually take the bus to work, stay at home.\"<\/p>\n
Data from the Organda office revealed that the 15,390 buses
\nstill described as road worthy fell sharply, from 21,987 buses,
\ndue to the scarcity of spare parts.<\/p>\n
Public transportation has been severely affected by the
\neconomic crisis, which commenced in July 1997.<\/p>\n
Out of the 15,390 buses, 4,013 are big buses, 4,952 metrominis
\nand 15,022 minivans or mikrolets.<\/p>\n
An executive of the Koantas Bima minibus company, A.S.
\nSimbolon, said that during the campaign period only 60 of the
\ncompany's 150 buses were operational.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the crew members, who have been on holiday during the
\ncampaigning activities, come back to work by Monday or Tuesday at
\nthe latest. Otherwise, how will the company run?\"<\/p>\n
Simbolon refused to divulge company losses resulting from the
\nnonoperating buses. (ylt)<\/p>",
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