LPG pumps ready for use at filling stations

JAKARTA (JP): Several liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel pumps at four filling stations in the city's designated green areas were officially opened yesterday.

Two of the stations are on Jendral Sudirman South Jakarta, where the ceremony took place. The others are on Jl. Pakubowono, South Jakarta, and Jl. Achmad Yani, East Jakarta.

LPG costs Rp 550 (23 US cents) a liter, cheaper than regular premium which costs Rp 700.

At the ceremony, Deputy Governor in charge of economic and development affairs, Tb.M. Rais (fourth left, photo above), called on the main distributor, PT Otogas Karya Pratama, not to raise the price.

He said if LPG traded at a discount to regular fuel it would attract more consumers.

The city administration has ordered gas stations in green areas to be relocated to preserve Jakarta's open spaces. Exceptions were given for stations which provided environmentally-friendly fuel.

The use of unleaded fuel, compressed natural gas, and LPG, is in line with the government's "blue sky" campaign to curb air pollution.

So far, only 11 of 33 stations in green areas have agreed to provide LPG or natural gas. Stations which did not provide alternative fuel would be relocated to other areas soon, Rais said.

Since PT Otogas was founded last year it has operated three LPG fuel pumps at its service stations and two taxi depots.

Over 1,000 taxis, several buses and private cars have been converted to use LPG.

PT Otogas director Kris Sulisto (far left) said there were seven stations with LPG pumps which could provide 40 megatons of LPG for 1,700 vehicles daily.

He said 21 more city gas stations would provide LPG next year. (02)