M

etro Mini bus owners have turned to the city administration and city council to help them join city-owned operator PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) as part of the public transportation integration program.

Bus owner Herlambang said that unlike Kopaja owners, Metro Mini owners could not independently procure buses, which is a requirement to join Transjakarta. While Kopaja owners operate under one legal entity, Metro Mini owners have long been divided into several groups, which made it difficult to hold meetings and discussions.

'€œWe cannot afford to buy new buses. Therefore we are asking the transportation agency and city council commission B [overseeing the economy] to find a solution,'€ Herlambang said during a meeting at the transportation agency in Central Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.

During the meeting, Metro Mini owners also threw snide remarks at one another, causing tension in the room.

Transportation agency head Andri Yansyah advised Metro Mini to solve its internal problems before seeking help from the city administration.

'€œBus owners must receive a recommendation from Metro Mini'€™s legal and legitimate entity,'€ he said.