Prya promises Jakarta a fleet of 1,000 new buses

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 10/31/2011 3:00 PM

Golkar Party member Prya Ramadhani, who is eyeing candidacy in the coming Jakarta gubernatorial election, has promised — if elected — to provide the capital with 1,000 buses to improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion.

Prya, a member of Jakarta House of Regional Representatives (DPRD), said the buses would improve the quality of public transportation, which has long been criticized for its low service standards and quality.

“I will provide 1,000 buses. I see this as [achievable],” Prya said Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that the Jakarta regional budget could afford the purchase.

“To provide 1,000 buses will cost about Rp 1 trillion (US$114 million). The Jakarta regional budget has up to Rp 4 trillion in idle funds,” he said.

Despite the promise and optimism, Prya has a long way to go before the election. Two other Golkar politicians, Tantowi Yahya and Azis Syamsudin, have also mentioned plans to run in election next year.

SBY promises to improve soldiers’ welfare

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 01/21/2011 3:14 PM | National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) on Friday said the government was committed to improving the welfare of the Indonesian military and police.

“We are committed to increasing the remuneration of our military personnel and police every year, so that they can fare better in their work," Yudhoyono said in a meeting with military chiefs in Jakarta.

He said the government was working on a scheme to allow officers to have houses.

“I realize there continue to be housing problems for military personnel," Yudhoyono said, adding that his government would keep its promise.

“It has been six or seven years. The government has increased the salary for its President. But, I promise [to increase salaries of military personnel too]," he said.

During the meeting, attended by 135 top-notch military commanders and 156 high-ranking police officers, the President called on both institutions to pay attention to law enforcement and human rights protection, as well as peacekeeping and fighting terrorism.

Fauzi promises to boost busway fleet next year

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 12/31/2010 4:41 PM | Jakarta

Jakarta administration plans to add 45 articulated buses to the TransJakarta busway fleet to cater to an increasing number of passengers in 2011.

“Articulated buses will be provided in the future because single buses are no longer enough  for the busier routes,” Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said Friday, as quoted by kompas.com.

Fauzi also inaugurated two new busway corridors, Corridor 9 and Corridor 10, earlier today.

He added that the administration would use its 2011 budget to purchase the new buses, specifically for busier routes, including the Blok M – Kota and Ragunan – Dukuh Atas.

“The single buses will be transferred to serve corridors with less passengers,” he said.