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.