Jakarta’s public minivans, a transportation mainstay for low- and middle-income people, will be required to change their facilities next year in an attempt to provide a better service, an official said on Wednesday.

The minivans currently can accommodate up to 14 passengers on bench seating along each side of the bus.

However, the seating will have to become front-facing by February next year, and the vans will be required to have air conditioning (AC).

With the new requirements, the minivans will only be able to accommodate a maximum of 10 people at once, including the driver. Moreover, both passengers and the drivers will be prohibited from smoking within the vehicle.

"If the seats are front-facing, the passenger capacity will indeed be lower. But, convenience will be maintained. We focus on convenience,” said Jakarta Transportation Agency deputy head Sigit Wijatmoko as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

The minivan transformation, he said, was part of the administration’s attempt to implement a one-fare transportation system, called OK Otrip. Under the system, which is expected to go on trial next year, passengers will be able to travel across the capital on different transportation modes paying a one-time fare of Rp 5,000 (35 US cents).

Sigit further said that officials would provide minivan operators with Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidies. Hence, they must not complain about having fewer passengers on each trip, he added.

Currently, the minivan operators receive income from fares collected directly by drivers from passengers. (agn)