`Plan to import used buses prone to graft'

The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) plans to import 3,000 second-hand buses from Japan and Australia over the next two years, starting in April. Organda argues it is necessary to import the buses due to the city government's delay in granting a hike in bus fares. Currently there are 3,900 public buses supposed to be operating in the city, but only 20 percent are roadworthy. Some Jakarta residents commented on the issue.

Bagong, 27, the driver of a public minibus plying the route from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. He lives in Condet, East Jakarta:

I think the idea proposed by Organda to import more buses from Japan and Australia is just the sort of project that is prone to embezzlement by corrupt officials in the city administration and Organda.

I don't trust any kind of procurement carried out by the authorities. It could well turn out that this scheme will only favor certain people rather than the public interest.

While the number of public buses currently operating in the city is not enough to transport commuters across the Greater Jakarta area, the additional buses will only worsen the traffic situation.

Traffic problems are already a major problem, so why should they import additional buses? The urgent problem now is how to properly manage the existing public transportation vehicles here in Jakarta.

Personally, I don't agree with the idea. Worse still, it will certainly make the competition among buses operators tighter.

Only if the existing clapped-out public buses that are operating now are taken off the roads would it be possible for the plan to work. Otherwise, it will be to no avail.

Agus, 37, an employee of a private firm in Central Jakarta who resides in Kebon Kacang, Central Jakarta:

I think the plan is quite good if it comes to fruition. It's sad to see that almost all the public buses operating in the city are wrecks.

I'm particularly concerned about the environmental impact of the existing public buses. They are no longer acceptable.

The buses that will be imported, regardless of the fact that they are second-hand, should be less polluting.

But, I don't agree if Organda imports 3,000 second-hand buses all at once as this would only worsen the traffic situation. The buses should be added gradually so as to avoid more traffic congestion in the city. At the same time, the old public buses should be withdrawn as the new buses start operating.

It's the right time to remove the old ones and replace them with better public buses.

Alfi, 29, is a working mother employed by a private firm in South Jakarta. She resides in Cakung, East Jakarta, with her son and family:

I think the idea to import the second-hand buses from Japan and Australia is quite good. I mean, that condition lately of public transportation vehicles, particularly the buses, has been deplorable.

So, the imported buses will at least replace the existing, aging public buses. City residents will also feel that they are getting some value for the fares they pay.

However, I'm afraid that the additional buses will worsen the already severe traffic congestion. Thus, the government should enforce a policy of reducing the number of old buses. Otherwise, commuters will continue complaining about the poor service.

I don't think the delay in increasing fares is a good reason for importing used buses. The second-hand buses might run well at first. But later on, Organda will start complaining about the cost of spare parts.

They'll then demand another fare hike to cover maintenance costs.

-- Leo Wahyudi S