New 'kancil' to traverse city, gradually replaces 'bajaj'

Damar Harsanto, Jakarta

The city administration has issued an operational license for the kancil, a locally assembled four-wheeled vehicle, to replace the decrepit and noisy Indian-made bajaj, which is three-wheeled.

"I approve the kancil to begin operating next month. So far, I have not heard about any problems over this issue," Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday at City Hall.

In the initial stage, only 250 kancil will be operational, but will gradually replace the fleet of about 14,000 bajaj currently operating in the capital.

The kancil is assembled by PT Karunia Abadi Citra Indah Lestari.

"The replacement is voluntary and depends on the readiness of bajaj operators (to replace their vehicles with kancil)," he said.

The administration had once considered subsidizing the replacement for bajaj operators, but many bajaj drivers objected because a kancil was too expensive. A kancil costs about Rp 34 million (US$3,617), more than double the Rp 15 million for a bajaj.

The bajaj was imported from India in the 1970s to replace the becak (pedicab) which was completely banned from the capital in 1985.

The two-stroke engine bajaj has contributed to traffic congestion and pollution in the capital due to drivers' neglect of traffic regulations, its notorious engine rattle and thick, black exhaust.

At the same time, the bajaj helped fulfill Jakartans' need for cheaper short-distance taxis that could also transport goods in place of pedicabs, which were considered inhumane.

The four-stroke engine kancil, on the other hand, produces less noise and consumes less gasoline than the two-stroke bajaj.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Rustam Effendy Sidabutar said the kancil would come in different colors depending on their designated areas of operation.

As it is a public vehicle, the kancil will only be operational in select areas, particularly in residential areas, and as with the bajaj, the kancil will not be allowed on the city's thoroughfares.

Aside from the kancil, the administration had also received another proposal on a "green" bajaj, which uses compressed natural gas for fuel.

The administration decided against the "green" bajaj due to technical problems, including the absence of gas stations able to supply compressed natural gas.