PPD to cooperate with Humpuss

The state-owned bus company (PPD) has agreed to cooperate with PT Senawangi Wisamarta Utama (SWU), a subsidiary of a widely diversified Humpuss group, in reconditioning the 43 double-decker buses it has at the SWU's workshop in Bekasi.

Ongky Sumarno, the director of PT SWU, was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday the overhaul was expected to cost a total of Rp 4.3 billion (US$2 million).

He said the two parties had agreed that the overhaul would be conducted at the company's workshop in Narogong, Bekasi.

"PPD has promised to overhaul five buses a month," said Ongky, adding that spare parts for the buses had been imported from Singapore.

He said the 43 buses were among the 70 double-decker buses the firm had agreed to overhaul earlier in PT SWU's workshop in Batam.

After repairing 27 buses, the firm and PPD decided to overhaul the rest of the buses in Narogong.

Under the joint agreement, PT SWU has the rights to operate the 70 buses for eight years with the income to be shared by the two parties. (jsk)