`Plan to import used buses prone to graft'

`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should be withdrawn as the new buses start operating.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