Jakarta’s streets will soon be cleared of ageing Kopaja and Metro Mini buses under a plan to ban buses 10 years or older from the city.
Land Transport Office Head Masdes Arroufy said the replacement process will take place over the next 18 months, according to a report from Tempo.
Buses older than 10 years will be banned from the road beginning January 1, 2019, Arroufy said, as reported by Tempo. The government has targeted to eradicate all old buses in an effort to improve safety and public health.
A 2014 regulation from the Jakarta government introduced the 10-year cap on buses and has been gradually reducing the number of beaten-up buses on the roads. Arroufy told Tempo the government began the reduction in 2016, with the Land Transport Office suspending 1,600 medium-sized buses due to vehicle inspection failures, expiration of route permits or old age.
A short term route permit extension will be granted to bus owners under the condition that older buses would be surrendered.
City bus service TransJakarta has improved in quality and service, which has cut into business for Jakarta’s mid-sized bus services. In 2012, 5,000 mid-sized buses serviced the city but that has dropped to a current 1,200.
TransJakarta has recently launched the Minitrans mini bus services. The buses are aimed at being the ‘new and improved’ Metro Mini buses retaining the signature bright orange.
Jakarta Governor Djarot Syaiful Hidayat said at City Hall Wednesday, July 19, he hoped to see the older buses disappear from the city by 2018 after the roll-out of the new vehicles.
The Land Transport Office has invited bus owners and operators to participate in program to ensure the smooth replacement of the buses.
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