Trans Semanggi Electric Bus Surabaya Ceases Operation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Surabaya Transportation Agency (Dishub), East Java, has reported that the Trans Semanggi Electric buses ceased operation earlier this year. The electric vehicle has no longer been operating since January 1, 2023.

The report was conveyed directly by the head of the Surabaya Transportation Agency, Tundjung Iswandaru. He explained that the decision to stop the electric bus service was based on the direction of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).

The Kemenhub would eventually evaluate the operation of electric buses which have been operating in Surabaya since December 20, 2022. Moreover, Kemenhub is also still discussing contract extensions with the service operator.

"We continue to push for the electric bus service to operate again in the City of Surabaya. This is because the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation is working with State-owned land transportation company DAMRI to provide this service," he said, as quoted by Tempo from the Antara news website today, Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

He further stated that the contract between the Ministry of Transportation and DAMRI was not directly related to the Surabaya Transportation Agency as they only prepare routes, lanes, and supporting facilities, in the form of bus stops.

"Considering in 2022, (the electric bus) was just launched on December 20, the contract will automatically end on December 31, meaning that it only operates for only 10 days. So do not simply assume the municipal government is provided with an electric bus. The electric bus belongs to DAMRI, which is paid by the Ministry of Transportation for its service fees," he explained.

Tundjung reported that the Ministry of Transportation currently plans to renew the contract with DAMRI. He continued that the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation had promised to once more operate electric buses in Surabaya as soon as possible.

"The Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia on January 3, 2023, wrote to the Surabaya municipal government, requesting for time, that electric bus services are still undergoing operational and contract evaluation," said Tundjung.

"So by yesterday, it could maybe be that during the operation, there was an engine clogging or substandard within the electric supply, that's why this is being evaluated. The Transportation Ministry has promised to resume the service on electric buses in Surabaya as soon as possible," he concluded.

ANTARA | IMAJI LASAHIDO (INTERN)

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