"We urge residents to use only transportation operators that have been recognized (by the ministry). At present, advertisements for transport services provided by illegal travel companies have been circulating on social media. Their illegal status means the safety of passengers cannot be assured," director general Budi Setiyadi said here on Monday.
According to the recent data compiled by the directorate general, 57,639 bus units for inter-city, inter-provincial, as well as tourism transport have been recognized nationwide by the authority, the directorate general revealed.
The ministry is targeting to get five thousand bus units to undergo bus ramp checks at Type A terminals and tourism bus pools, he informed.
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He warned that the safety and security of unrecognized transportation service providers cannot be assured, as last year's report revealed that illegal transport providers often utilize sub-par buses that are dangerous for long-distance travel.
Travelers utilizing illegal providers would not be covered by the Jasa Raharja transportation insurance, he added.
"Unrecognized bus services are sometimes more expensive than the official bus services. Buses that (unrecognized operators) use are often not properly checked, and drivers' competency is not assured," Setiyadi noted.
He further said that he has instructed his subordinates to coordinate with police forces to monitor the operation of illegal bus and travel service providers during the 2022 homecoming period.
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Translator: Adimas Raditya FP, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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