PPD double-deckers

PPD double-deckers
hit the streets soon

PT Senawangi Wisa Marta Utama, a subsidiary of the widely
diversified Humpuss Group, will try out 15 renovated double-
decker buses on May 25.

The buses will serve the Blok M-Pulogadung route.

"We are going to try them out as soon as the City Land
Transportation and Traffic Control Office (DLLAJR-DKI) issues us
their route license (ijin trayek)," Didit Pocowinoto, a director
of the company, said yesterday.

Didit said his company is working in cooperation with the
state-owned bus company, PPD, to renovate a total of 70 double-
deckers with the Leyland brand name. All of the 70 buses were
completely inoperable prior to the renovation.

In the first phase, 35 of them were repaired at the company's
repair and maintenance shop in Batam island, Didit said

Up to now only 27 of them which have been completely
renovated.

Didit said that the renovation was a significant landmark in
the history of the Indonesian transportation business because
this is the first time severely damaged buses were completely
renovated for re-operation en-masse.

Didit said he believed the plan will succeed, adding that the
buses' bodies could be used for posting advertisements.

"At present we've already have a cigarette company which will
put their ads on the buses," Didit said. However, he refused to
mention the name of the company and how much the contract is
worth.

Didit added that his company had entered into cooperation with
the DMC radio company to air its radio programs on the double-
deckers. They said they were doing this so they would be able to
expel street singers operating in city's public transit vehicles.

According to Didit, the double-deckers will be operated as
Patas buses (express buses serving limited routes) and the fare
is the same as that of other Patas buses, that is, Rp 550 per
person per trip. (arf)

Indian folk dance
to perform at TIM

A 16-member Indian Bhangra and Giddha dance troupe will
perform for one night in Jakarta, an official from the Indian
Embassy said yesterday.

The recital will be held on May 24 at the Taman Ismail Marzuki
Arts Center on Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta.

Bhangra is the most popular and virile community dance in
Punjab, a province in the northern of Indian sub-continent, and
is closely linked with the ritual importance connected with wheat
growing and harvest. Giddha is a popular dance of the women folk
of Punjab.

The troupe will also give a special performance in Purwakarta,
West Java, on May 25 before departing for India the next day.

This renowned cultural troupe has performed in many countries
throughout the world, including China. (has)