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Anies plans to return 'becak' to Jakarta streets
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Kids enjoy riding in 'becak mini' at Pekan Raya Indonesia 2016. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has signaled plans to return the human-powered vehicle to the city’s streets. (JP/Firmanto Daniel Sibarani)
J
akartans can expect to see the long-banned becak (three-wheeled pedicabs) return to the city's streets with Governor Anies Baswedan signalling plans to bring back the human-powered vehicles.
“People in Jakarta still need becak. Hence the city administration will prepare special routes for becak,” he said as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday.
Women going to the market, Anies said, were one example of the people who needed to use becak. According to Anies, they could not take ojek (motorcycle taxis) or other forms of public transportation if they bought too much at the market.
“It's a nuisance for them to carry bulk using ojek or other forms of public transportation, like minivans,” he said.
Anies added that banning becak had a negative impact on the many drivers who relied on it as their main source of income.
Becak were banned during the administration of late governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto, who served from 1987 to 1992, as they were considered to cause traffic congestion.
Coordinator of the Jakarta Urban Poor Network (JRMK), Eni Rochayati, said the city's authorities had not provided a comprehensive solution for becak drivers. “We hope the government will support them [the becak drivers] this time,” she said. (dpk)
