Sutiyoso wants eco-friendly 'bajaj'<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The ubiquitous, noisy, smoky, three-wheeled bajaj taxis are set
\nto be replaced, either with less-polluting newer models or with
\nlocally made Kancil vehicles, Governor Sutiyoso revealed on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
\"We are still studying whether we will choose the (natural)
\ngas-fueled blue bajaj or the Kancil. But, we will definitely
\nwithdraw the red bajaj since they are no longer roadworthy,\" he
\nsaid at City Hall.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said the old Indian-made bajaj operating throughout
\nthe capital were run-down and produced thick smoke as well as
\nnoise pollution.<\/p>\n
He stressed the policy would not hurt the businesses of the
\nold bajaj owners.<\/p>\n
\"We will offer (the drivers) financial aid to buy new bajaj,
\nwhich they can pay back in manageable installments,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A gasoline-fueled bajaj is priced at about Rp 27 million
\n(US$3,176), while a bajaj using both gasoline and compressed
\nnatural gas (CNG) is Rp 32 million. A Kancil sells for about Rp
\n34 million, while the price of the old bajaj is about Rp 15
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
Both Kancil and the blue 175 cc bajaj have four-stroke
\nengines, which produce less noise and consume less gasoline than
\nthe old two-stroke vehicles.<\/p>\n
About 14,000 orange bajaj have been operating in the city
\nsince 1975. They were first produced by Bajaj Auto Ltd India, and
\nwere introduced in the country during the administration of
\nformer governor Ali Sadikin, who sought an alternative to the
\nmotorized, rickshaw-like helicak.<\/p>\n
Earlier, City Council member Tjuk Sudono of Commission D
\noverseeing development, questioned the legal basis for the
\noperation of any three-wheeled taxis in the city.<\/p>\n
He said Bylaw No. 12\/2003 on city transportation made no
\nmention of three-wheeled motorized taxis of any kind. It only
\npermitted the use of passenger cars as a means of public
\ntransportation, he said.<\/p>\n
Since the introduction of Kancil last year, many bajaj owners
\nhave been reluctant to buy Kancil due to the price.<\/p>",
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