Use of natural gas enhanced

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)