Councilor speaks up about 'bemo'

Councilor speaks up about 'bemo'

JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urges the administration to
phase out bemos (three-wheeled motorized vehicle), but insists
that drivers must be able to afford the vehicles which replace
them.

Saud Rahman, of the Commission D on development affairs, said
yesterday that Kijang vans would be too expensive to replace
bemo.

"Don't force the bemo drivers to buy Kijang vans. Cheaper
vehicles would be preferable," said Saud as quoted by Antara.

Many bemo drivers have said that they wanted Kijang vans to
replace their bemo. Many have agreed to buy the vans in
installments.

"We should not grant these requests. What would happen if they
failed to pay the installments?," Saud said. A new Kijang van
costs at least Rp 37 million.

Another councilor, Ronggo Sutrisno Thahir, offered his own
opinion that vehicles to replace the bemo must be both safe and
affordable.

"The administration should be proactive in the phasing out of
bemo by offering the drivers facilities so that they give up
their old vehicles for new ones, which are both cheap and safe,"
Ronggo said.

There are now 1,892 bemo which legally operate in the capital
city.

As many as 880 drivers have applied for new vehicles. (sur)