'Bajaj' to ride off into the sunset

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration plans to replace the bajaj (three-wheeler motorcycle taxi) with a four-wheeler transportation vehicle, called Kancil, the City's Land Transportation and Traffic Control Agency (DLLAJ) chief Buyung Atang said on Friday.

"It's like a golf buggy which can seat two passengers and the driver. We will discuss the technical matters of Kancil next week," Buyung told reporters.

He said the four-wheeled taxi would still use gasoline, but the administration expected it could be converted into a gas- fueled vehicle.

He said the administration decided to replace the bajaj, which is gasoline-fueled, as it contributed to the city's air pollution.

"The replacement is aimed at supporting the city's blue sky program," he added.

The official said the decision was made also because the bajaj was not included in the list of public transportation vehicles stipulated in city bylaws.

He said the bylaw only permitted vehicles with at least four wheels to be operated as public transportation.

"Kancil, if approved, will operate in residential areas, compared to the bajaj which is often seen in main streets," he said.

Kancil, which has a street price of Rp 30 million (US$3,000) each, will be sold to bajaj owners so that their drivers would not lose their jobs, he said.

Buyung said 70 percent of the components of the vehicle, which was designed by Indonesian aircraft manufacturer PT Industry Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (now PT Dirgantara Indonesia), are locally made.

"Only a part of Kancil's engine, which is 180 centimeters by 180 centimeters, will be imported, while the majority of the parts could be produced locally," he said.

Separately, Governor Sutiyoso said the administration plans to replace the bajaj as well as becak (pedicab).

"But the alternative vehicle should be environmentally friendly, using gas as its fuel," Sutiyoso told reporters after performing Friday prayers, adding that the Bajaj has been operating in the city's streets for years.

He said the administration had earlier studied the possibility of importing a gas-fueled vehicle from China to replace the bajaj, but it preferred to use vehicles that could be produced here.

There are 12,000 bajaj registered with the city administration, but the actual figure could reach 20,000.

The city administration stopped issuing new permits for the bajaj in 1992. (jun)