249 additional buses to cruise city streets

JAKARTA (JP): The city public transportation department is getting an additional 155 new buses from a number of private bus companies and another 94 renovated buses from the city-owned bus firm PPD.

Head of the Public Transportation Control Department Herman Tonglo Langi said yesterday that the additional fleet is expected to help improve public transportation services.

He said that the operation of the 155 new buses started last month. The 155 buses, some of which are air conditioned, are operated by four private transportation companies -- Bianglala, Mayasari Bhakti, Giri Indah and Steady Safe.

"The buses are plying 14 new routes," he said, adding that the routes are Tanjung Priok-Blok M, Klender-Muara Karang, Pulo Gadung-Ciputat, Blok M-Muara Karang, Pasar Minggu-Muara Karang, Blok M-Tanjung Priok, Senen-Bekasi, Tanjung Priok-Bekasi, Grogol- Bekasi, Kota-Bekasi, Blok M-Bekasi, Kalideres-Bekasi, Kampung Rambutan-Blok M.

He said that the buses are among the first of 1,000 new buses which will be operated in the city in the near future. Last June the agency permitted four other city bus companies to operate 120 new buses.

Operation

Herman admitted that public transportation in the city is short of vehicles and that generally their condition no longer meets requirements for road worthiness and public safety.

He also said that his office will continue to launch an operation against reckless bus drivers to improve discipline. In July the agency impounded 222 buses and another 113 last month in a similar operation.

Herman said that most bus drivers violate regulations by taking short cuts and dropping passengers before reaching the proper terminal or bus stop. (yns)