Bus firms should 'educate' drivers
JAKARTA (JP): Bus companies and owners are responsible for educating their drivers about road safety, a senior official said yesterday.
The head of City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), J.P. Sepang, said the routine training provided by the government was inadequate due to limited funds and facilities.
A special course for public transportation drivers is held in Serpong, Tangerang twice a year.
"Remember that the training given by the municipality is only complementary. The main education has to be provided by the bus companies which hire the drivers," he said.
Sepang was commenting on the increase in road accidents involving public buses, which are notorious for their poor service and reckless driving.
On Sunday, a mob set fire to two U-24 Metromini buses plying the Senen-Tanjung Priok route after one of them fatally hit two pedestrians and seriously injured another on Jl. Sunter Jaya, North Jakarta.
PT Metromini promised Wednesday that it would compensate relatives of the two people killed.
Operations manager Maninting Panjaitan said the company would also offer compensation to the surviving victim and owners of the two roadside houses badly damaged in the accident.
Three days after the Sunter accident, another Metromini bus T- 47 plying the Pondok Kopi - Senen route hit and severely injured a motorcyclist before it rammed into an electricity pole near Jembatan Serong in East Jakarta.
City traffic police chief Col. Fachrudin B. called on city bus drivers Thursday to stop driving recklessly. He said between two and three people died in road accidents in Greater Jakarta every day.
Sepang said reckless driving was to blame for most accidents.
"Bus owners should be selective in choosing drivers," he said. "They cannot expect the municipality to take care of the drivers."
Choosing a driver is like choosing a maid, the employer should first teach the new worker how to get about safely, he said. In the driver's case, Jakarta's chaotic streets are his/her workplace.
Governor Sutiyoso also expressed concern Wednesday over bus drivers' lack of discipline and called for severe punitive action to be taken against reckless drivers.
"Revoke their driver's permit permanently if necessary. The rising number of road accidents is outrageous because the government has done its best to provide the drivers with skills through courses," he said.
When asked if it was possible for the city administration to set up a special school for drivers, he said it was impossible for the upcoming fiscal year.
"As you know the city is short of money now. It is impossible to build such a school."
Head of the traffic division of DLLAJ Oriyanto Sapardal told the Post that the Sunter Metromini accident was still under police investigation.
"The driver may have his license revoked," he said.
In the mean time, the Metromini U-24 route has been altered temporarily for fear of a possible attack by Sunter residents enraged by Sunday's accident. (edt)