Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - The municipal government of Banjarmasin launches a free transportation for student what is called as angkot pelajar ceria gratis (a cheerful free public minivan).
Head of Transportation Agency Ichwan Nur Chalik here on Thursday said the free public minivan is to reduce congestion also to help angkot drivers who are now losing their jobs.
"At present many angkot are suspended, we want to help drivers to get better income," he said.
Through the free transportation, he added, the government seeks to empower public angkot those are still feasible and good for transporting students to and from school.
Initially the agency hired angkot to pick up students from home to school. But after re-thinking, instead of having to provide a driver again, finally the agency hires angkot owners to become honorary drivers.
The result is quite encouraging, in addition to getting an extraordinary response from the public, the drivers are also far more responsible.
"So now, the drivers, who are also owners of angkot, get a quite good income, at least above the UMP (the provincial minimum wage) in the city of Banjarmasin," he said.
While the drivers, who usually work with makeshift clothes and only wear sandals, now wear the agency's uniform and shoes.
Students, who are on average of junior high school students, are also enthusiastic to ride public transportation to school. Evidently The cars those painted brightly cheerful, always full when leaving or returning to school. Even the drivers have to go back and forth to pick up the students until they are all transported.
