'Bajaj' to ride off into the sunset

'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)