`Plan to import used buses prone to graft'<\/p>\n
The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) plans to
\nimport 3,000 second-hand buses from Japan and Australia over the
\nnext two years, starting in April. Organda argues it is necessary
\nto import the buses due to the city government's delay in
\ngranting a hike in bus fares. Currently there are 3,900 public
\nbuses supposed to be operating in the city, but only 20 percent
\nare roadworthy. Some Jakarta residents commented on the issue.<\/p>\n
Bagong, 27, the driver of a public minibus plying the route
\nfrom Blok M, South Jakarta, to Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. He
\nlives in Condet, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I think the idea proposed by Organda to import more buses from
\nJapan and Australia is just the sort of project that is prone to
\nembezzlement by corrupt officials in the city administration and
\nOrganda.<\/p>\n
I don't trust any kind of procurement carried out by the
\nauthorities. It could well turn out that this scheme will only
\nfavor certain people rather than the public interest.<\/p>\n
While the number of public buses currently operating in the
\ncity is not enough to transport commuters across the Greater
\nJakarta area, the additional buses will only worsen the traffic
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
Traffic problems are already a major problem, so why should
\nthey import additional buses? The urgent problem now is how to
\nproperly manage the existing public transportation vehicles here
\nin Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Personally, I don't agree with the idea. Worse still, it will
\ncertainly make the competition among buses operators tighter.<\/p>\n
Only if the existing clapped-out public buses that are
\noperating now are taken off the roads would it be possible for
\nthe plan to work. Otherwise, it will be to no avail.<\/p>\n
Agus, 37, an employee of a private firm in Central Jakarta who
\nresides in Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I think the plan is quite good if it comes to fruition. It's
\nsad to see that almost all the public buses operating in the city
\nare wrecks.<\/p>\n
I'm particularly concerned about the environmental impact of
\nthe existing public buses. They are no longer acceptable.<\/p>\n
The buses that will be imported, regardless of the fact that
\nthey are second-hand, should be less polluting.<\/p>\n
But, I don't agree if Organda imports 3,000 second-hand buses
\nall at once as this would only worsen the traffic situation. The
\nbuses should be added gradually so as to avoid more traffic
\ncongestion in the city. At the same time, the old public buses
\nshould be withdrawn as the new buses start operating.<\/p>\n
It's the right time to remove the old ones and replace them
\nwith better public buses.<\/p>\n
Alfi, 29, is a working mother employed by a private firm in
\nSouth Jakarta. She resides in Cakung, East Jakarta, with her son
\nand family:<\/p>\n
I think the idea to import the second-hand buses from Japan
\nand Australia is quite good. I mean, that condition lately of
\npublic transportation vehicles, particularly the buses, has been
\ndeplorable.<\/p>\n
So, the imported buses will at least replace the existing,
\naging public buses. City residents will also feel that they are
\ngetting some value for the fares they pay.<\/p>\n
However, I'm afraid that the additional buses will worsen the
\nalready severe traffic congestion. Thus, the government should
\nenforce a policy of reducing the number of old buses. Otherwise,
\ncommuters will continue complaining about the poor service.<\/p>\n
I don't think the delay in increasing fares is a good reason
\nfor importing used buses. The second-hand buses might run well at
\nfirst. But later on, Organda will start complaining about the
\ncost of spare parts.<\/p>\n
They'll then demand another fare hike to cover maintenance
\ncosts.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/plan-to-import-used-buses-prone-to-graft-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }