TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ) Bambang Prihartono is eyeing to operate 2,000 electric buses in Jakarta next year to effectively replace the entire fleet of buses that still depend on fossil fuel and help maintain the city’s air quality.

“My main goal is to see a minimum of 2,000 electric buses in the year 2020. We must be optimistic in achieving this goal, there will no longer be delays, the pollution is already happening now,” said Bambang at the Hotel Pullman in Central Jakarta on Thursday, September 12.

As an initial step, Bambang said the Jakarta Passenger Transportation (PPD) has established a partnership with PT Mobil Anak Bangsa (MAB) to procure 500 electric buses next year. The PPD is currently testing the buses.

The fleet’s procurement is said to not be funded by the regional budget (APBD) but will rather be paid by the buses’ future buyer, which will be paid by the kilometers the buses travel.

“They will be purchased with their own money and with no government assistance. This will truly be funded by the private party,” said Bambang regarding the electric bus fleet.

Meanwhile, PT Transjakarta is currently operating three electric buses that underwent six-month road-worthy testing in tourist destinations. This fleet will be operated commercially in 2020 after it undergoes another testing period for six months.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH