Bogor to have airport buses

JAKARTA (JP): The Bogor mayoralty is to begin operating 10 air-conditioned buses between the town and Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardy has reportedly given the green light to the state-owned airport operator company PT Angkasapura II to start services of the 35-seater buses.

A member of staff at the Bogor Land Transportation Agency, Bambang, said the state-owned DAMRI buses would charge Rp 7,000 (US$2.30) per trip.

"This fare will be much cheaper than other transportation means, such as taxis or trains," Bambang told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The agency's head, Endang Tabroni, said the bus departures would be linked to flight departures. Five of the buses would start at Yani's restaurant on Jl. Pajajaran, while the other five would begin at the airport.

Bogor mayoralty spokesman Hari Harsono hailed the plan, saying, "It's time for Bogor to have its own airport buses. Many of the town's residents regularly use airplanes," he said.

He said many Bogor residents were currently forced to go by train to Gambir railway station before continuing to the airport by bus.

Others took taxis, but only a few taxis operate in Bogor, he said.

In Jakarta there are three airport bus routes: to Gambir railway station, in Central Jakarta; to Rawamangun bus terminal, in East Jakarta and to Blok M, in South Jakarta. The buses charge Rp 4,000 per person. (jun)