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

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.