Councilor wants checks on cabbies

Councilor wants checks on cabbies

JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor is demanding that local
authorities immediately carry out spot checks of all taxi drivers
in the capital to curb a crime wave and return peace of mind to
passengers.

Councilor Lukman F. Rais from Commission A for administrative
affairs said on Friday that a spate of robberies, assaults and
murders committed by taxi bandits had frightened Jakartans.

He argued that foot-dragging over the crimes would cause
serious financial problems to many taxi companies because fearful
members of the public would be reluctant to use their services.

"The Jakarta Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), for instance,
should be brave enough to take stern measures against taxi
companies whose drivers were involved in the crimes because it
shows the companies lack authority over their drivers," Lukman
said.

He went so far as to recommend the agency revoke company
operation permits if they breached standard regulations in
recruiting and hiring drivers.

"It had been reported that most of the crimes were committed
by unlicensed drivers who collaborated with their other
accomplices," he said.

Unlike last year when many taxi drivers fell victim to robbery
and murder, the city has been shocked this year by the rash of
crimes committed against taxi passengers, often by drivers
working in cahoots with criminals.

The crimes and media reports about them have scared many
Jakartans, particularly women and expatriates, about using taxis,
particularly those flagged down on the street. Police records
show most of the victims were female executives and foreigners.

"My colleagues and I now prefer to use the air-conditioned
Patas buses rather than risk our lives in the hands of the taxi
drivers," said Yeyet, a senior staff member at the British
Council.

On Wednesday, city police detectives shot dead three taxi
drivers who allegedly specialized in preying on foreigners and
arrested the gang's eight other accomplices in a shoot-out at
their hideouts in Sarua, Sawangan, south of here.

Commenting on the councilor's call, head of traffic
supervision for DLLAJ Oriyanto Sapardal admitted that his office
had not run spot checks on taxis recently.

"We think everything has been running smoothly and normally."
He claimed to be unaware of the escalating number of crimes
involving taxis.

He quickly added that the agency would strengthen their patrol
system beginning on Monday.

He said his office had yet to talk with involved parties, such
as the Jakarta Traffic Police, about conducting a spot-check of
taxi drivers and their vehicles.

"To carry out such raids, we should do it together with
several institutions, such as the police."

Oriyanto promised to summon taxi companies if members of their
fleets were found to be involved in the crimes.

The city has 21,340 taxis from 30 taxi companies, according to
data from the agency.

Several taxi companies, including well-known ones, have been
named in the robberies.

Lukman said DDLAJ should summon all taxi companies to require
them to increase their accountability of their drivers. (ind/bsr)