Use of natural gas enhanced

JAKARTA (JP): New public transport permits will now be issued only if the vehicles use natural gas. The decision comes after an earlier ruling on taxis.

The expansion of the policy is possible after President Soeharto endorsed it, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said yesterday.

He was referring to a statement made on Tuesday by State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. After meeting the president, Sarwono cited the President's call for a more rapid phase out of leaded fuel.

"The city already has a program (to use unleaded fuel)," Surjadi said, referring to permits for new taxis which must use natural gas.

"But I have always said the city cannot do it alone, as we are also dependent on automobile distributors, the supply of gas and the availability of filling stations."

"Now with the President's statement we have stronger support... we can be stricter on public transport," he said after opening a building to house small industries in Rawa Bilal, South Jakarta. (yns/anr)