Minister launches new taxi fleet in Dili

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya yesterday inaugurated the operation of a 30-unit taxi fleet in Dili, East Timor.

The taxi armada launched by the minister is part of 50 cabs donated by the state-owned oil company Pertamina and PT Astra International to the cooperative of public servants in the province, under a partnership agreement.

A statement from Astra International said yesterday that under the agreement, Pertamina has provided Rp 2 billion (US$849,834) for the purchase of the 50 taxi cabs and for the construction of related facilities.

Meanwhile, Astra International, through its social foundation, Yayasan Dharma Bhakti Astra, has provided technical assistance for the cooperative's members.

The foundation's general manager, Krisni Murti, said in the statement that Astra has organized several free training programs at the cooperative's Dili and Surabaya offices .

Astra, according to Krisni, has also donated equipment for repair shops worth Rp 25 million through its branch office in Surabaya.

It was also reported that the taxi cabs are leased to the cooperative's members daily for Rp 62,000 for the first five years, after which time the drivers will own their vehicles. (alo)