Modern bus shelters to be set up

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has authorized PT Mesayumas Tirta to build a number of modern bus shelters in the city to promote traffic discipline and keep public order, a city official said.

Prawoto Danoemihardjo, an assistant to the city secretary, said on Thursday that the company will build and manage the modern bus shelters. "In return the company will be exempted from taxes on advertisements displayed on the shelters for five years."

He explained that each shelter will be equipped with a kiosk selling soft drinks, cigarettes, food and newspapers, as well as a public telephone booth.

Prawoto said the shelters will be built in strategic areas in Central Jakarta, including the "golden triangle" area in Senen, Gunung Sahari, some points on Jl. M.H. Thamrin as well as Jl. Gajah Mada.

About 2,000 modern bus shelters will be built in the city in stages in cooperation with private companies. "Its realization will very much depend on the results of the pilot project conducted on Jl. M.H. Thamrin," he added.

Meanwhile, Ita Mustafa, president of PT Mesayumas Tirta, said that each bus shelter will occupy 30 square-meters and require an investment of more than Rp 30 million.

She said 24-hour security officers will be responsible for cleanliness and security around the shelters.

"They are responsible to keep order and security as well as cleanliness around the shelters," she told reporters after meeting with Governor Surjadi Soedirdja. (32)