TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that the provincial administration set to procure electric bus for the additional fleets of the city transportation, Transjakarta.

“So it is certain that we will use electric-powered buses as the new fleet. That is our commitment,” said Anies at Bundaran Senayan, South Jakarta, Sunday, October 27.

Anies reiterated that city bus operator PT Transjakarta had visited a number of countries to review battery-driven buses that would be used.

The plan was a part of the city’s effort to switch to vehicles that are environmentally-friendly and emission-free, said Anies. He also encouraged Jakartans to use public transportation.

Transjakarta, Anies Baswedan added, had conducted a trial run to two electric buses that would be operated immediately after Transportation Ministry released the type test.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Syafrin Liputo said his side planned to procure 100 electric buses next year. “We target to add 100 electric-powered fleets for Transjakarta,” Syafrin said.

However, the agency was mulling over the price which he deemed costly. “We are trying to obtain incentives of the electric bus from the central government or in this case Finance Ministry as it relates to tax,” Syafrin said.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ