Sutiyoso wants eco-friendly 'bajaj'

Sutiyoso wants eco-friendly 'bajaj'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The ubiquitous, noisy, smoky, three-wheeled bajaj taxis are set
to be replaced, either with less-polluting newer models or with
locally made Kancil vehicles, Governor Sutiyoso revealed on
Thursday.

"We are still studying whether we will choose the (natural)
gas-fueled blue bajaj or the Kancil. But, we will definitely
withdraw the red bajaj since they are no longer roadworthy," he
said at City Hall.

Sutiyoso said the old Indian-made bajaj operating throughout
the capital were run-down and produced thick smoke as well as
noise pollution.

He stressed the policy would not hurt the businesses of the
old bajaj owners.

"We will offer (the drivers) financial aid to buy new bajaj,
which they can pay back in manageable installments," he said.

A gasoline-fueled bajaj is priced at about Rp 27 million
(US$3,176), while a bajaj using both gasoline and compressed
natural gas (CNG) is Rp 32 million. A Kancil sells for about Rp
34 million, while the price of the old bajaj is about Rp 15
million.

Both Kancil and the blue 175 cc bajaj have four-stroke
engines, which produce less noise and consume less gasoline than
the old two-stroke vehicles.

About 14,000 orange bajaj have been operating in the city
since 1975. They were first produced by Bajaj Auto Ltd India, and
were introduced in the country during the administration of
former governor Ali Sadikin, who sought an alternative to the
motorized, rickshaw-like helicak.

Earlier, City Council member Tjuk Sudono of Commission D
overseeing development, questioned the legal basis for the
operation of any three-wheeled taxis in the city.

He said Bylaw No. 12/2003 on city transportation made no
mention of three-wheeled motorized taxis of any kind. It only
permitted the use of passenger cars as a means of public
transportation, he said.

Since the introduction of Kancil last year, many bajaj owners
have been reluctant to buy Kancil due to the price.