New minivans to replace 'bemo' by February

JAKARTA (JP): New minivans will replace three-wheeled bemo by the end of February, the Association of Public Transport Owners (Organda) city branch head said Wednesday.

Aip Syarifuddin said 800 bemo would be replaced by minivans adding to the 125 bemo already replaced. Bemo owners will pay Rp 24 million for the minivans in monthly installments.

Bemo are being replaced by 1,300cc minivans made by Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu.

By the end of February just 171 of the city's original 1,096 bemo will remain. The owners or operators of the remaining bemo have not yet got public transport permits for the new minivans.

The minivans will serve the same 20 routes bemo served.

An estimated 1,000 bemo operate without permits.

However, a Land Transportation Control Agency official said he doubted the program could be completed on time.

"Since the program was launched in April, only 125 bemo have been replaced," the official said.

The Ramadhan fasting month in January would make the program harder to implement because owners and drivers would need extra income for Idul Fitri, he said.

Next year's elections meant the government also had to be cautious in implementing sensitive programs, he said.

"The program may stimulate social and political protests," he said.

Earlier schedule

The bemo replacement program was originally intended to be completed last August but bemo owners' protests delayed the program.

Bemo owners said the down payment and the monthly installments for the minivans were too high.

They said the minivans had an Rp 18 million retail price but they had to pay for Rp 24 million. The Rp 24 million includes a public transport permit.

Aip said a joint team of Organda and traffic control agency officials would monitor the program and report to the governor.

Traffic control agency head J.P. Sepang said earlier the replacement program would make it easier to identify unregistered bemo because they would not be replaced.

The minivans will use liquefied petroleum gas, as part of the city's effort to reduce air pollution.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said recently all new public transport vehicles had to use natural gas. (02)