Stickers for public vans

BOGOR (JP): The transport authority has started issuing stickers for public transport vans in an attempt to stamp out unlicensed operators.

The campaign began Tuesday, with stickers issued to 30 vehicles that were undergoing roadworthy tests at the Bogor Land Transportation Agency, said head of the agency Endang Tabroni.

Each van will be issued with two stickers to be placed on the front and rear windshields. The agency has produced 10,000 stickers, enough for 5,000 vans.

Endang did not say how many public vans are considered legitimate but said the campaign is expected to last six months.

The move follows a series of strikes by public transport drivers which affected many people here last month. The drivers protested the authority's failure to contain the number of vans, which they blamed for their falling income.

The Bogor Land Transportation Agency, which was their prime target, denied it had given out too many licenses to public van operators and said the streets were flooded with unlicensed operators.

The transport agency is charging public transport owners Rp 1,700 for one set of stickers.

The Chief of the Association of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) Ahmad Chotib welcomed the campaign. "Hopefully this will satisfy all parties," he said. (24/04)