`KWK' to double its suburban fleet

The Wahana Kalpika Cooperative (KWK), which manages the 12- seat suburban transportation KWK fleet, plans to operate an additional 1,400 small vans in an effort to curb the operation of unauthorized vans in the suburbs.

Laode Djeni, the KWK's chairman, told reporters at the City Hall yesterday that the cooperative has submitted the proposal to the governor's office.

"We are now waiting for the governor's approval," Laode said.

If approved, the new vans will be allotted to focus on the West and South Jakarta districts because there are now many housing complexes in those mayoralties which are not served by public vehicles.

He said Sukapura in Cilincing, North Jakarta, was another area in the city lacking public transport.

According to Laode, some businessmen have exploited the severe lack of transportation to operate unauthorized vans in the under-serviced areas.

Laode hailed the recent inspections on unauthorized KWK fleets by the City Land Transportation and Traffic Control Office (DLLAJ), which resulted in impoundment of 86 small vans illegally operating in the suburban areas.(arf)