City insists on going ahead with Kijang taxis

The city administration intends to go ahead with plans to allow six-passenger Toyota Kijang taxis to operate despite the already fierce competition among taxi operators in the capital.

However, the plan has been put on hold following the administration receiving letters that contradict each other from the Ministry of Communications' Directorate General of Land Transportation.

The city administration financial affairs office head Sukri Bey said that his office had received a letter from the directorate general opposing the plan, but in another letter the directorate general approved it.

"We will seek clarification on both letters," he said.

The first letter, dated Oct. 1, 2003 and signed by Director of Traffic and Land Transportation Anton S Tampubolon on behalf of Director General Iskandar Abubakar, says the directorate general rejects the plan on the grounds that only sedans are allowed to be used as taxis.

The second letter, dated July 13, 2004, signed by Director General Iskandar supports the plan. The letter says the operation of Kijang taxis would meet the need for taxis that could carry more passengers than sedans.

Sukri said his office planned to meet with officials from the directorate general on Monday for clarification.

There are currently 30 taxi operators in the capital operating around 21,000 taxis. -- JP