Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan's decision to ban app-based ojek (motorcycle taxis) should be seen as a government effort to create a safe transportation system in the capital city, according to an observer.



Transportation observer Darmaningtyas said on Friday that motorcycles were not safe vehicles, so the government should prohibit their use as public transportation gradually, starting with the areas where public transportation has been well-operated so public activities will not be disrupted.



'Jonan's decision was not wrong,' Darmaningtyas told thejakartapost.com.



He said that from 2010 to 2014, police recorded that 133,651 people had died in traffic accidents, meaning about 73 people died everyday because of accidents and more than 70 percent of them involved motorcycles.



'Whether it is application-based or conventional ojek, it is an anomaly in the transportation system in Indonesia,' he asserted.



Darmaningtyas said that ojek appeared because of shabby public transportation, adding that it is the government's duty to improve the system to become safe, comfortable, expeditious and affordable.



He added that it is not the intelligent transportation system (ITS) that should be contested, but the use of motorcycles as public transportation.



'E-ticketting for Transjakarta and commuter lines are also technology applications. ITS is not prohibited. It is the usage of motorcycles for public transportation that should be prohibited,' Darmaningtyas said.



He said that conventional ojek and application-based ojek should consistently be disciplined. However, when public transportation in certain areas is not ready, a ban by the government is not yet needed.



Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) chairman Tulus Abadi said that ojek are not necessarily banned.



'It is right that basically ojek are not in line with the transportation law in Indonesia. Based on the law, public transportation must have minimum of three wheels. However, ojek have been allowed to operate for a very long time,' Tulus said.



He added that the government must not prohibit the operation of ojek if the government is still not capable of providing access to safe public transportation. Tulus pointed at a fatal Metromini crash that happened in early December.



'The government must not just prohibit without providing any solutions,' he said.



Minister Jonan earlier issued a letter that banned the operation of ride-hailing applications since they do not fulfill the requirements to be official public transportation, such as having yellow plates and meeting safety standards. Law No. 22/2009 also stipulates that two-wheeled vehicles were not designated for public transportation.



This letter incited public objections and even attracted President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's attention. Jonan was scheduled to meet President this afternoon to discuss the matter.



Jonan annulled the decision on the same day President Jokowi called him. (dan)(+)

Your premium period will expire in 0 day(s) close x Subscribe to get unlimited access Get 50% off now