'Bemo' owners complain of replacement prices

JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-five owners of bemo (three-wheel vehicles) filed a complaint with the city council yesterday over the cost of replacing the soon to be banned bemo with minivans.

Sri Haryanti, spokesperson for the bemo owners, told the council's Commission D for development affairs, that the price of the minivans is too high.

"Normally, they only cost Rp 18 million (US$7,826) but they are offering us these vehicles for Rp 24 million each. Distributors said these prices include the fee for the operating permits issued by the city land traffic control agency," Sri said.

Sri, who owns 12 bemo, said it is strange that they have to purchase this permit because they already have permits for their bemo and the agency should automatically issue a replacement permit for the minivans.

The owners asked councilors to help them negotiate prices with the city administration.

Bandjar Marpaung, chairman of the commission said the city administration still intends to eliminate bemo from the streets because they are no longer appropriate for a such a big city.

"But we will discuss the price with related agencies as well as with Organda, the organization of public transportation owners," Bandjar said.

In March the city administration decided to replace more than 1000 of Jakarta's bemo, which have been operating since 1967, with minivans produced by Suzuki, Daihatsu and Mitsubishi.

The administration plans to replace all bemo by the end of December.

Organda asked owners to discuss the matter within the organization which will help owners who intend to negotiate with vehicle distributors. (yns/jun)