Bus owners need safety guarantee

JAKARTA (JP): Most buses in the city have remained off the street because there is no guarantee for their safety against continuing mob violence, an official said Saturday.

The city's Land Transportation Agency chief Aip Sjaifudin said he hoped most city buses would resume operating today if their safety could be guaranteed by the authorities.

"Many roads are still barricaded by either the authorities or mobs. Most bus owners have opted to wait until the streets are safe," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Besides, most gas stations have remained closed for fear of renewed violence, he said.

Commuters have found buses scarce. Many have to rely on ojek (taxi motorcycles), which are a lot more expensive.

Ministry of Communications spokesman Bambang S. Ervans said that of the 400 buses belonging to the city-owned bus company PPD, only 195 were currently in operation.

Five PPD buses were vandalized and one burned out during a riot last week.

Damri, a government-owned bus company, will resume operating 20 buses to carry passengers to and from the airport. (pan)