Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has said that his administration is seeking a solution to keep online app-based transportation services such as Go-Jek, Grab Bike, Grab Taxi and Uber operating in the city, as Transportation Minister Ignatius Jonan revoked a ban on the services just hours after the ban was imposed.

Jonan issued the ban on Thursday, citing unmet requirements for public transportation under the transportation law. The revocation was made after he was summoned by President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo on Friday.

According to Ahok, as long as their respective companies are registered, the Jakarta city administration will allow them to continue operating in the capital city.

"We will find the solution. For example, the cars should have to pass roadworthy tests; they should display stickers to show that they are taxis; and have to provide their passengers with insurance," Ahok added.

He called on the management of the app-based services to register their vehicles with the City Transportation Agency so the agency could make sure that they had all passed roadworthy tests.

The governor said that the city was in a real dilemma in connection with the operation of app-based transportation, while their operation was against existing laws, their services were needed by people. '€œForbidding them is like not recognizing our own sons,'€ he added.

'€œCan we stop people riding with Go-Jek? No, we can't. People are being helped by ojek (non-app motorcycle taxis) so why not?" he said, adding that the most important thing was for the management and drivers of app-based transportation to consider the safety of their customers. (bbn)(+)

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