Starting next week, bajajs, the iconic three-wheeled form of Jakarta public transportation, will be prohibited from passing in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta.
The Central Jakarta Transportation Agency reason for the ban is that the bajaj’s presence in the heart of the city tarnishes the area’s image of order and discipline, especially when the bajajs ngetem (stop anywhere on the road to pick up or drop off passengers).
“They must [be banned] and it’s a certainty. They’ve been going around the State Palace for no clear reason. It’s embarrassing, particularly if they ngetem,” said Central Jakarta Transportation Agency Head Harlem Simanjuntak, as quoted by Kompas yesterday.
The prohibition is going to come into effect next week. Once in effect, bajajs will no longer be able to pass through Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat and Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, both of which are adjacent to the State Palace.
The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), which oversees all bajaj in the capital, already has plans to replace existing bajajs with four-wheeled mini vehicles next year in order to keep their fleet fresh.
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