"If they want to continue to strike, let them go ahead. We have formulated a policy to allow all public transport to operate on all routes. People who are affected could also use the alternative means of transport," the governor said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has said he remains adamant on his decision to phase out the metromini public transport buses that are not roadworthy.
"Public safety and the lives of passengers are more valuable. It is better to stop their operations than to let them operate," he said at City Hall here on Monday.
Therefore, he said he did not mind the metromini drivers and workers going on a strike.
"If they want to continue to strike, let them go ahead. We have formulated a policy to allow all public transport to operate on all routes. People who are affected could also use the alternative means of transport," he said.
He said metromini buses had often put the lives of their passengers and other road users in danger and firm action has to be taken against them.
The governor said he would not act against all metromini buses but only those which are not road worthy.
"Those that are still in good condition may continue to operate," he said.
Metromini drivers went on a strike after the capital citys transport service had detained buses that it considered not road worthy.
The latest road incident involving a metromini vehicle happened on Dec 16 when metromini bus B6304AZ hit two pedestrians along Jalan Meruya Utara, West Jakarta, after the driver lost control following a brake failure.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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