"If motorcycle taxis are used as a mode of private transport, it is okay. But, they could not officially be used as a means of public transportation," Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The "ojek," or motorcycle taxi, cannot be used as a mode of public transport as it endangers the safety of passengers, according to Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan.

"If motorcycle taxis are used as a mode of private transport, it is okay. But, they could not officially be used as a means of public transportation," Jonan stated at the Ministry of Transportation here on Friday.

He pointed out that motorcycle taxis have not been included as a means of public transportation based on Law Number 22 of 2009 on Traffic and Transportation and Government Regulation Number 74 of 2014 on Transportation.

"In terms of public transportation safety, two-wheeler vehicles are not included as a mode of public transport. It is not appropriate from the safety aspect," the minister emphasized.

However, the ground reality exposes a wide gap between the need for transportation facilities and the ability to provide adequate and proper means of public transportation.

The ojek service has bridged the gap to offer an alternative transportation system. In recent days, the "Gojek" service, or the online-based motorcycle taxi service, and other internet-based services of this type have been capitalizing on the gap in public transportation.

Earlier, the Ministry of Transportation had issued a letter of notification No. UM.302/1/21/Phb/2015 on the operation of ojek, saying it was not in line with Law Number 74 of 2009 on Traffic and Transportation and Government Regulation Number 74 of 2014 on Transportation.

The letter was dated November 19, 2015, and had been signed by the transportation minister, the copies of which were also sent to the Traffic Police Corps of the National Police, governors, and the regional police across the country.

Land Transportation Director General Djoko Sasono remarked that following the issuance of the letter, the online-based motorcycle ojek taxis were no longer allowed to operate.

"The motorcycle ojek taxis are banned from operating as they are not in line with regulations," he added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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