MTI proposes buses to replace 'angkot'

BOGOR (JP): The Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) here has proposed that regular city buses be introduced on Bogor's main streets to resolve chronic traffic congestion.

"The buses could replace thousands of angkot (public minivans) operating on the city's main streets. Angkot, which cause traffic problems, should serve passengers only in housing areas," Soemana Soma, coordinator of the non-governmental organization, said on Saturday.

He said angkot should be banned from the city's main streets.

"The policy has been adopted in other cities and it was proven a success," said Soemana, while referring to a policy carried out in Yogyakarta's main street Jl. Malioboro.

Soemana conceded that the proposal could have a negative social impact once it was implemented and might spark protest from angkot drivers.

"But if the administration implements the policy by using a persuasive manner, any social impact can be avoided," he said.

The proposal, however, prompted strong opposition from the chairman of the Bogor Public Land Transportation Owners Organization (Organda), A. Chotib Malik.

Chotib said the source of the problem was not the number of public minivans operating in the city, but an agreement between the Bogor mayor and the Bogor regent in 1995.

"The agreement allows minivans to operate from downtown Bogor to other areas, and from the regency's rural areas to downtown Bogor," he said.

He said the agreement had increased the number of minivans in the city. Currently, at least 6,000 minivans operate in the city's main streets each day.

"To limit the number of minivans, the agreement should therefore be revoked. The administration should then determine the authorized number of minivans operating in the city," he said.

Data at the Bogor administration shows 6,500 minivans and intercity buses are registered in the city, serving Bogor's five million population.

Chotib warned that replacing angkot with buses on the main streets could cause social unrest.

"Thousands of minivan drivers here would lose their jobs. It will cause social unrest if the proposal is approved," he said.

Traffic congestion mainly occurs in the city on weekends, as many cars from Jakarta pass through the city to reach favorite recreational sites, such as the Puncak area.

Bogor Police recently placed 50-centimeter-high black-and- white painted drums in the middle of the streets to manage the traffic.

The drums are used only in peak hours and are removed after the traffic returns to normal. However, heavy traffic congestion still occurs, particularly on streets leading to traditional markets and bus terminals. (24/asa)