Plan to import used buses blasted

Plan to import used buses blasted

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) is questioning a plan
by the Ministry of Transportation to import used buses.

"Importing used buses might be a lot cheaper than buying new
ones, but we should also consider the quality and road-worthiness
of the buses," the foundation's chairwoman, Indah Suksmaningsih,
told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Transportation plans to import 3,000 used
buses from Japan and Australia, at the cost of between Rp 115
million (about US$12,700) and Rp 120 million each. Over the next
two years starting in April, about 150 of the imported buses are
expected to arrive in Indonesia each month.

Indah questioned the emission levels of the imported buses. "A
low price is not everything. Most of the imported buses have been
in operation for 10 years on average. If those buses are just
going to pollute the air here is it worthwhile?" she asked.

She suggested that the government and the Organization of Land
Transportation Owners (Organda) consider the environment when
adding to the country's bus fleet.

"Adding more vehicles is important but, of course, not ones
that cause lots of pollution," Indah said.

She said it would be better to purchase new buses because they
would be of better quality and would have a longer lifespan than
the used buses.

A public transportation and traffic expert from the Institute
of Technology in Bandung, Ofyar Z. Tamin, told the Post the
government should consider two important factors when buying
buses.

"One is economic value. Considering that at the moment the
government's finances are not in very good condition, importing
cheap, second-hand buses might be the best option," he said.

According to Ofyar, the price of used buses is 60 percent
cheaper than the cost of new buses.

"But technical quality is also important. Every imported bus
should pass certain standards set by the Ministry of
Transportation," he said. "Most (buses) may still look good but
the ministry should make sure the engines are in good condition."

Ofyar said most imported used buses were able to operate for
another 10 to 15 years.