JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - Transportation Ministry is in dilemmatic position with regard to the rise of ride-sharing mobile applications such as Go-Jek and GrabBike. On one hand it has to ensure that the Law on Traffic and Land Transportation does not consider motorbike as a public transportation means, while on the other hand such ride-sharing application is getting hotter.
On Thursday, the ministry bars such ride-sharing applications on grounds that this type of transportation is not governed by the existing transportation. The decision got instant protests from the public, either through print, electronic and social media. The hashtag #savegojek became a trending topic since last night.
Some, however, support the ministry’s decision for safety reasons. Such transportation means (GoJek-GrabBike and others) are considered not safe and do not meet the requirements of the law to be considered as public transportation means.
“The Traffic and Land Transportation Law does not accommodate motorbikes as a public transportation means on safety reasons,” Minister Jonan said.
The public protest prompted Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan to soften his stance on ride sharing mobile applications. He said such ride-sharing apps will now be allowed until public transportation system is adequate.
“Once again, since this (ride sharing apps) has become a public need in order to fill the gap as public transportation is not adequate to serve all public transportation needs, than go ahead. However, it is better to coordinate with the Police,” he said.
President Joko Widodo who also monitors the public aspiration through social media finally responded to the public protests. He seems to support the presence of ride-sharing application, but on the other hand he called on the Transportation Ministry and related government institutions to guide, supervise and reorganize this type of transportation means, with an aim to ensure passengers are safe.
“There should be a reorganization. For instance, Transportation Ministry, Transportation Office (of the provincial governments) offer guidance, reorganize therefore public safety is assured,” President Joko Widodo told reporters on Friday morning (Dec. 18).
On the other hand, the President said, ride-sharing mobile apps such as Go-Jek are offered due to public demand. “That should be highlighted. Ojek (bicycle taxi) is here as the public want it,” he said, adding that regulation is man-made and the presence of a regulation should not make certain people to suffer. “As long as it is needed by the public, I think, it is not a problem,” he said.
He said when the mass public transportation which is comfortable and safe, the public will naturally shift to these mass transportation means.
Tulus Abadi, chairman of the Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI), said that the basic reason behind the prohibition was correct because motorcyles do not meet the technical specifications for transporting people and they lacked safety standards.
Still, he was worried that the regulation would not have a strong impact.
“The ban is much too late because ojek [motorcycle taxis] have grown rapidly, like mushrooms in the rainy season,” he said in a press statement.
The ministry announced Thursday that it had prohibited all ride-hailing applications like Go-Jek, GrabBike, Uber, Blue-Jek and Lady-Jek, claiming that they did not meet safety requirements and violated the law on public transportation.
Tulus was certain that even though the operations were banned, legal enforcement and the sanctions imposed against them would be weak.
He gave as an example the traditional ojek that were backed up by the police, the local transportation offices and also the military.
The growth in the numbers of ojek in big cities was also caused by the government’s failure to provide reliable and affordable public transportation, he said. The business had grown significantly, especially in Jakarta with its serious traffic congestion issues.
“The Transportation Ministry could notban ojek if they cannot provide improved access to public transportation. We also questioned the current public buses’ safety following the fatal crashes that involved Metromini,” he said, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.
The YLKI urged the government to provide solutions to the issue, as it is the government’s responsibility to provide public transportation.
The ride-hailing applications had seen growing popularity among citizens in Indonesia’s big cities because of how easy they made ordering transportation and the affordable prices.
The President hints to allow such ride-sharing applications to continue to operate. “Make sure we don’t curb innovations. Go-Jek (and others) are mobile applications created by young people who have the desire to innovate,” President Joko Widodo said.
Nabiel Makarim, co-founder of Go-Jek, has repeatedly said that the ride-sharing apps makes it easier for motorbike owners and consumers to connect to each other. Initially, Go-Jek transports people. Recently, Go-Jek has expanded its business including offering personal services such as Go-Food, Go-Box, Go-Mart and others. Today, it has around 100,000 motorbike drivers who joined the company’s services. It doesn’t own motorbikes, instead the bikes are still individually owned.
Some observers said that it is too late to bar ride-sharing mobile applications. What the government should do is to amend the transportation law and regulations so that such ride-sharing applications are operating legally, and at the same time, public safety standards are assured. (*)