Surabaya City Council Criticises Unroadworthy Waste Collection Fleet
Surabaya — The Deputy Chair of Surabaya’s Regional People’s Consultative Assembly (DPRD), Arif Fathoni, has called on the city’s Environmental Office (DLH) to overhaul its waste collection fleet, citing concerns that the vehicles are not fit for purpose.
“This condition is considered to damage the city’s aesthetics, whilst potentially endangering public safety and comfort,” Fathoni said when reached for comment in Surabaya on Thursday.
He noted that the issue of unroadworthy waste trucks had previously been discussed in meetings with the city’s Environmental Office. During those meetings, it was explained that some waste transport trucks are owned by the DLH, whilst others are leased from private operators.
“Previously, we also had a meeting with the DLH regarding the presence of trucks that are not fit to transport waste and travel through Surabaya’s streets. At that time, it was explained that some trucks are owned by the DLH and some are leased from private parties,” Fathoni said.
However, he argued that the ownership status of the fleet should not be used as an excuse to disregard vehicle safety standards for waste transport operations.
He suggested it would be an anomaly if the city government, through its relevant office, continued to operate unroadworthy vehicles, whilst at the same time the city’s Transport Office (Dishub) regularly conducted raids on other vehicles deemed to not meet road safety standards.
“It is pointless for the Transport Office to conduct raids on other transport trucks deemed unfit for the road, but on the other hand the city government — in this case the DLH — allows unfit trucks to travel through Surabaya’s streets,” he said.
Beyond affecting traffic safety and comfort, Fathoni said the condition of the fleet also damages the image of Surabaya, which has long been known as a clean and well-organised city.
“Apart from damaging the beauty of Surabaya, it also represents the face of the city government to its people,” he said.
“If the city truly cannot afford to purchase new vehicles, then at least lease trucks that are fit to transport waste in Surabaya,” he added.
Beyond the fleet issue, Fathoni also highlighted the need for improved facilities at the Benowo Final Waste Disposal Site (TPA), particularly a vehicle wheel-washing station.
According to him, such a facility is important to ensure that trucks leaving the landfill do not carry soil that could contaminate or damage roads.
“At Benowo TPA, there must be a vehicle or wheel-washing facility, so that when trucks finish unloading waste, their wheels are clean and do not damage Surabaya’s roads,” he said.