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)