Bus firms warned to discipline drivers
JAKARTA (JP): The Land Transportation and Traffic Control Agency is threatening to revoke the operation licenses of bus companies and other public transit vehicle firms whose drivers frequently violate route regulations.
HM Djuhdi, head of the agency's transportation business development office, said over the weekend that the drivers of the companies to face the stern actions chronically refuse to enter bus terminals on their designated routes.
Bus drivers frequently cut short their routes to avoid entering terminals because they often have to wait in long lines to pick up passengers.
"In the initial stage of the crackdown, we will give warnings to the companies whose drivers violate the existing rules. If the companies are not able to instill discipline in their drivers we will revoke their operating licenses," Djuhdi told Antara.
He made the remarks in response to the high rate of violations by Metromini and Mikrolet bus drivers. Other violations include exceeding load capacity limits and the deadline for vehicle roadworthiness examinations.
Djuhdi said that he does not agree with the drivers' complaints that their routes are too long.
"The routes are given to the companies based on their own requests when they made proposals for their operations," he said. The proposals are later discussed by agency officials with the bus owners and representatives of the Jakarta Chapter of the Association of Land Transportation Owners.
Trial operations
He explained that based on the discussions, the agency issues a decree for trial operations on the route for three months. At the end of the trial period and evaluation is made.
"The trial operation is designed to prevent the possibility of problems from arising later and at the same time it is used to monitor whether the public really needs transportation services on the route," he said.
Djuhdi said that the drivers forcing passengers to get off the buses before entering terminals, or stopping at bus shelters, are only thinking of their wallets.
"For example, a bus driver drops passengers off anywhere he pleases because he wants to make a U-turn which will enable him to pick up and transport a greater number of passengers," he said.
His office has received many reports saying that public transit vehicles serving the route between Kampung Rambutan in East Jakarta and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta frequently make U-turns at Kampung Melayu and the Indonesian Christian University.
Djuhdi said further that his office, in cooperation with the city police, is currently evaluating the overall operations of public transit vehicles.
"The agency is also considering the possibility of intensifying control over the operation of public transit vehicles along the elevated roads in response to complaints that they are causing traffic jams," he said.
The agency's chief, JP Sepang, ordered owners of buses and other public transit vehicles operating in the capital on Thursday to bring their fleets up to standard to improve service and facilitate traffic flow.
He gave the order to help improve the image of Jakarta in the eyes of the delegates and other guests of the upcoming Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (hhr)