Bus companies denounced

JAKARTA (JP): A city official denounced bus companies yesterday for not operating their buses in accordance with government regulations.

Under existing regulations bus companies must operate 40 percent of their vehicles for cheap transportation and the remaining 60 percent should be half air-conditioned and half unair-conditioned.

"I am very disappointed that bus companies have not started to provide cheaper transportation for the public," J.P. Sepang, head of the City Land Transportation Control Agency, said yesterday.

Agency data shows unair-conditioned express buses rise by 140 yearly, far more than the rise in regular buses which are in greater demand.

There are 18,091 buses in the city and 90 percent of these are regular buses.

Sepang denied reports in yesterday's Pos Kota daily which said the state-run bus company PPD and the private Mayasari bus company had started additional regular bus services.

"Both companies had not complied with the composition," he said, adding that he would meet bus company managers to see the regulation was adhered to.

One thousand new buses would start operation next month to fit the 40:30:30 composition, Sepang said.

"By next year all (bus) companies should start operating more low-fare buses", he said. (02)