TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Double-decker bus existence in the capital city gets positive response from Jakartans and foreign tourists. After being launched on last February 24, the residents' enthusiasm to ride that free bus is getting higher. As a matter of fact, 3,000 people are taking the bus per day on the average, and the number is doubled on the holiday, as reported Antara News.

To accommodate the increasing number of the passengers, City Tourism and Cultural Department (Disparbud) has allocated Rp25 billion to add the bus fleet amount.

Head of City Disparbud, Arie Budhiman stated that the double-decker bus is quite attractive for the tourist. The current bus amount cannot accommodate all the tourists who want to ride the double- decker bus since the city only has five units of them. "The passengers are booming when the holiday comes, it doubled compared to the usual day," said Budhiman, Friday.

The Disparbud is currently waiting the Government Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP) approval for the ten bus units purchasing since the purchasing will go through e-catalog using the City Budget.

"The amount is not equal from the bus provided with the passenger. Ideally, one route is for 10-15 units, so the headway is not too long. The current bus is only five units," said Budhiman.

If there is no bus companies want to join in the e-catalog later, the bus procurement will use the auction system just like last year. Budhiman said that he was not able to ascertain what kind of bus to be bought because all process goes through the applicable process. "APTM is the priority, then the quality. But if it has good quality, the price is definitely more expensive, but it is okay as long as it longevity and has a good lifetime," he said.

He also admitted that so far the operational buses have been going pretty well. The passengers will not be charged anything to ride the bus. However, it will be evaluated further and the free cost depends on the subsidy given by the Jakarta Provincial Government in the future. "It will remain to be free, but we should see the subsidies. Because there should be a bus maintenance cost as well," Budhiman uttered.

While until now, the tickets still remain free because the ticket making has not been budgeted in the City Budget. It will be planned in the upcoming Budget Changes. "The ticket is actually just a free pass. We will propose it in the budget change because it has not been proposed yet," Budhiman completed.

ANTARA