Jakarta (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi asked his rank and file to intensify checks on the safety aspects of road transportation ahead of the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming period.
"This year, people's willingness to go home is very high. Therefore, we will intensify coordination with the COVID-19 Handling Task Force regarding the implementation of health procedures during homecoming. We must also intensify checks related to safety aspects," he said while opening the Directorate General of Land Transportation’s Technical Coordination Meeting here in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Ramp checks to test the condition of road transportation, such as buses, must be carried out early, he directed.
“In discussions with the Police Traffic Corps, a ramp check, especially for tourism buses, must be carried out. We must not (let) sudden accidents happen," he added.
Besides checking vehicles’ conditions, officers must also check drivers' conditions, he said.
Sumadi asked the Land Transportation Management Center (BPTD) to coordinate with the regional transportation office and the Ministry of Health to carry out health checks on bus drivers at terminals.
“All drivers must be healthy (and free) from high blood pressure or other illness, which can endanger safety. Make sure they are in good health, drive politely, not recklessly," the minister urged.
Furthermore, Sumadi issued a number of directions to the Directorate General of Land Transportation for carrying out its work program in 2022, including ensuring the implemented program directly benefits the community.
"We must keep bus terminals clean to attract more passengers," he said.
Improving connectivity between road transportation modes and other modes, such as trains, is also important. Collaboration must also be carried out with a number of parties, namely academics, regional governments, the private sector, the community, and other related elements to increase public interest in using road transportation.
Lastly, limited allocation of the State Budget must be anticipated by establishing a Public Service Agency at potential BPTDs to improve services without having to rely on the state budget.
During Tuesday’s meeting, director general of land transportation, Budi Setiyadi, said that the 2022 Land Transportation Coordination Meeting was held as a forum to consolidate and review various policies and strategies for land transportation.
"Through this activity, we hope it will be able to become the right tool for all land transportation personnel, from policy makers, transportation observers, academics, operators, associations, to officers who carry out policies and supervision in the field to synergize with each other to create a conducive atmosphere for land and sea transportation," Setiyadi added.
