YLKI wants govt to gradually scrap Mikrolet<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A leading consumers organization urged the
\nJakarta administration to gradually scrap 12-seat Mikrolet public
\nminibuses and to develop rail-based mass transport system.<\/p>\n
Their request comes in the wake of Mikrolet crews refusing to
\nclose the doors of their vehicles while in transit.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Consumers Organization
\nZumrotin Kasru Susilo told The Jakarta Post that Jakarta cannot
\naccommodate the transit needs of its 10 millions residents with
\nMikrolet, a locally designed passenger van.<\/p>\n
\"Mikrolet should be banned,\" Zumrotin said, adding that prior
\nto the prohibition there should be other jobs created for the
\nsoon-to-be unemployed vehicle crews.<\/p>\n
According to her, small vehicles such as Mikrolet cannot give
\ncomfortable and safe service to their passengers. She said that
\nthis ultimately encourages people to buy cars, putting more of a
\nburden on an already overtaxed traffic system.<\/p>\n
\"Frankly speaking, all of this is in the interest of the auto
\nindustries,\" the consumer activist said.<\/p>\n
She noted that it was high time a rail-based mass transport
\nsystem was developed given Jakarta's transit crisis.<\/p>\n
On Friday of last week, hundreds of Mikrolet drivers staged a
\nstrike to protest the government's new regulation which prohibits
\nthem from keeping their vehicles' doors open.<\/p>\n
Refusing to carry passengers, the drivers closed their
\nMikrolet's doors, blocked the streets in the downtown area and
\ncaused heavy traffic jams.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Executive Director of the Indonesian Legal Aid
\nFoundation Mulyana W. Kusumah said that the government should
\nfirst talk to owners and drivers before launching a transport
\nservice improvement.<\/p>\n
Mulyana noted that bowing to the demands of the consumer
\norganization would weaken the integrity of the government.<\/p>\n
Drivers<\/p>\n
In a related development, a scholar at the Jakarta-based
\nTrisakti Transport Management Academy, Hasan Basri, said the
\nJakarta administration should not lay the blame solely on the
\ndrivers but also on the passengers as well.<\/p>\n
\"People are lazy to walk, even five meters, to reach the
\nproper place to wait for public vehicles,\" Hasan bluntly said. He
\nadded that the government should launch a campaign regarding the
\ncivic discipline.<\/p>\n
Hasan, also an official of the Ministry of Transportation in
\ncharge of research, suggested that the government change the
\nworking systems between owners and drivers.<\/p>\n
Under the present system, drivers have to pay a certain amount
\nof rent to the owner regardless of the number of passengers they
\ntransport each day.<\/p>\n
According to Hasan, the system forces drivers to race along
\ntheir routes, looking for as many passengers as they can while
\nignoring traffic regulations.<\/p>\n
He said that, based on his experiences in developed countries,
\nthe government should demand companies give to their drivers
\nmonthly wages. (09)<\/p>",
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