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.