Bus Industry slow to grapple with its safety problems

JAKARTA (JP): An educator of transport company managers says it would be a shock to the industry's system if strict enforcement began on the requirement for moving buses to close their doors.

Herdjan Kenasin, chairman of the Jakarta-based Trisakti Transport Management Academy, noted that the government has never enforced the safety regulation and has allowed bus crews to operate recklessly.

"Now it needs time to let bus companies and their employees adapt to this new situation," the chairman said during a telephone interview with The Jakarta Post.

Referring to a month adaptation period, he said that it is not enough for the public bus companies to repair all of their buses' broken doors.

Starting this month, the municipality has ordered buses to close their doors while moving.

The City Traffic and Land Transportation Control Office (DLLAJ) and the City Police headquarters stated earlier this week that they will impound buses which have no doors or broken doors.

A spokesman of the joint team announced that during their operation some 100 bus drivers were ticketed, which included drivers of the private-run Metro Mini, Kopaja and Mayasari Bakti bus companies, as well as of the state-owned Perusahaan Pengangkutan Djakarta (PPD).

The spokesman, however, said that many bus drivers are still ignoring the regulation.

He stressed that the companies need more time.

In a related development, vice president of PT Steady Safe transport company Datin Rashidah Nor said yesterday that bus companies should fully support the regulation.

Rashidah said that PT Steady Safe, which operates Masstrans executive buses, has always obeyed the rule.

"I strongly support the regulation for the sake of the passengers' safety," she said.

She stressed that letting bus doors open while the bus is traveling also disturbs the comfort of the passengers.

According to her, Masstrans can easily follow the regulation since it has three bus crews in each of its air-conditioned vehicles: a driver, a conductor and a security official.

"The security official can help the conductor to close the door," she added.

Asked about other bus companies which do not follow the regulation, Rashidah simply said, "It's a matter of management."

Herdjan also stressed the importance of consistent government enforcement.

"It's high time for the administration to uphold the law. I'll be very sorry if the government drops this standard requirement," Herdjan said, adding that safety is the first priority for every bus company. (09)