Train drivers on failing high speed line demand more training

DutchNews, March 14, 2019

A Dutch high speed train. Photo: Alfenaar via Wikimedia Commons

Train drivers on the Dutch HSL high speed train route say they are not getting enough training and are threatening to strike if the NS does not act, the AD reported on Thursday. 

The 400 train drivers currently employed on the HSL say their lack of adequate training is increasing the number of malfunctions on the Amsterdam to Antwerp route. Currently there are up to 10 breakdowns a week. 

This means the reliability of the HSL stands at 82%, which is below the legal standard. Other train services have a 92% reliability rate. 

The reason for the malfunctions is a not yet identified problem with the train’s software and, according to the drivers, a multitude of voltage and safety systems which they are ill-equipped to handle. 

Now the FNV train drivers union has drawn up a manifesto, which has been signed by 1,200 people and will be handed over to the NS on Friday. It calls for better training and a monitor on the trains. 

‘The NS has the world’s best drivers but they are given too little time to master the intricacies of the high speed line. And once they drive the train, the support they get is often far below par,’ union official Henri Janssen told the paper. 

The NS said it is taking the complaints of the drivers seriously. ‘Everything they say can be done to improve the situation will be taken into consideration,’ a spokesman said. ‘We have a help desk in place and a team of people to help on the ground. But the uncertainty among drivers shows how complex the line is. Not everything has been properly installed.’ The FNV said strike action may be on the cards if the NS does not listen to the drivers.

Uber ups taxi driver age from 18 to 21 after Amsterdam accidents

DutchNews, January 21, 2019

Uber has agreed to raise the age for taxi drivers in the Netherlands from 18 to 21 following the involvement of company drivers in several fatal accidents in Amsterdam in recent weeks.

In addition, the agency will only accept drivers with at least a year’s experience, broadcaster AT5 said. Drivers under the age of 25 will also have to undergo a compulsory course in road safety, organised by the road safety organisation VVN. 

Last week, the VVN sounded the alarm about the accidents, telling the Telegraaf that Uber drivers should not be allowed on the roads unless its drivers conform to normal taxi regulations. 

‘What has happened is terrible,’ Uber Nederlands head Thijs Emondts told AT5. ‘We are convinced that the measures we are taking today will remove some of the concerns about safety.’ 

The company is also setting up a task force together with Amsterdam council officials to look at the accidents involving Uber drivers. In addition the company is looking at the option of controlling the taxi app which drivers use by speech recognition. 

AT5 points out that none of the fatal accidents involved young drivers. The company already operates a 21 age limit in other countries, including Belgium, Britain and Denmark.

Dutch road safety experts worried about Tesla self-driving system

DutchNews, October 26, 2015

Dutch road safety organisation VVN said on Monday it is concerned that motorists with the new Tesla Model S, which can be fitted with a self-driving system, will be tempted to take their hands off the wheel. 

The US car company has been given the green light to roll out its autopilot software all over the globe and that means 2,000 Dutch owners will also be able to use it, the Telegraaf says on Monday. 

The package includes an ‘auto steerage’ system which automatically keeps a car in a lane and away from the vehicle in front. The car can also park itself, change lanes and warn about blind corners. 

VVN says it is worried about the impact on road safety. Even though Telsa itself says drivers should always keep their hands on the wheel, ‘owners will not be able to resist temptation’, the organisation said. ‘And we do not consider this to be responsible.’ 

The VVN says self-driving software should only be permitted when it has been shown to be 100% safe. There are many videos in circulation showing near accidents involving the Tesla S, the organisation pointed out. 

Tesla says the autopilot system does not relieve the driver of responsibility. ‘Tesla Autopilot functions like the systems that airplane pilots use when conditions are clear. The driver is still responsible for, and ultimately in control of, the car,’ the company said in a statement.

Related Article:

Tesla installs 'autopilot' update on its electric cars

Tesla installs 'autopilot' update on its electric cars

Yahoo – AFP, Sophie Estienne, 15 Oct 2015

The new autopilot software will allow the Model S vehicles to steer within a lane, 

change lanes by tapping a turn signal as well as parallel park on command 

(AFP Photo/Robyn Beck)

San Francisco (AFP) - High-end electric vehicle maker Tesla is taking a major step toward self-driving cars by installing new autopilot software Thursday in North America to automatically change lanes, manage speed and even hit the brakes.

Self-driving capabilities -- previously limited to cars tested by technology titans such as Google -- hit the streets "overnight" with the latest Tesla Version 7.0 software, the company said Wednesday.

The feature, unveiled Wednesday, is being added to thousands of Tesla's Model S cars already on the road. By June 30, Tesla had already sold nearly 80,000 of the four-door sedans.

Tesla says it has sold nearly 80,000

 of the four-door Model S sedans (AFP

Photo/Josh Edelson)

The so-called Version 7.0 software is due to hit the European and Asian markets next week after obtaining the required authorization.

"We're being especially cautious at this early stage so we are advising drivers to keep their hands on the wheel just in case," Tesla founder and chief executive Elon Musk told reporters.

"In the long term, people will not need hands on the wheel, and eventually there won't be (steering) wheels or pedals."

Autopilot allows Model S to steer within a lane, change lanes by tapping a turn signal and manage speed using "traffic-aware" cruise control.

The car can also scan for available parking spaces, alert drivers when one is spotted and then parallel park on command.

A year ago, the California-based company began equipping Model S cars with radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and other hardware to begin incrementally introducing self-driving capabilities.

But the new software has its limits. It still can't recognize the color of traffic lights, though it can alert drivers to parking spots.

On its website, Tesla acknowledged that "truly driverless cars are still a few years away."

"Tesla Autopilot functions like the systems that airplane pilots use when conditions are clear," it explained.

"The driver is still responsible for, and ultimately in control of, the car."

The autosteer capability is still in beta form, Musk stressed, adding that the system would be updating itself systematically across the whole network of connected cars.

Tesla sold about 11,580 Model S cars during the third quarter.

Model X SUVs, which the group put on the market several weeks ago in a limited release, are also due to get the software.

But vehicle owners will have to pay an extra $2,500 for the autopilot software, either at the time of purchase or later.

Driver still in charge

Tesla founder and chief executive Elon Musk

 said the new autopilot software was being

 added to its Model S vehicles (AFP Photo/

Jan Hennop)

Alongside the connected car, autonomous driving is one of the new buzzwords in the automobile sector.

Most automakers are rushing to invest in driverless technology, seen as the future in the industry.

What makes Tesla stand out, however, is the fact that the cars are electric. The company boasts "supercar acceleration" that allows vehicles to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.

Among the best developed autopilot prototypes is Alphabet's Google Car, already on the road in several US states.

The Google car uses the same technology as its fleet of Lexus SUVs, which has logged about a million miles (1.6 million kilometers).

Mercedes presented a futuristic car with a traffic-jam assist that allows the car to steer, brake and accelerate on its own at slow speeds.

Earlier this month, Toyota presented a car that can drive itself along a highway.

The car, a modified Lexus GS, uses sophisticated sensors to navigate roads, merge lanes and overtake other vehicles.

The company hopes to make other cars with similar features available within five years, in time for Tokyo's hosting of the Olympics.

But South Korea's Hyundai has warned about the complex legal challenges of self-driving cars.

While fully autopilot systems without any human involvement could be ready by 2025, such technology would also bring with it "huge, huge challenges for our legal systems," European operations chief Thomas Schmid cautioned.

"Who is responsible for what? I'm not convinced until now that is a process which can be done in the next 10-15 years."

Indeed, existent law does not yet allow for completely autonomous, driver-less cars on the roads. And consumers will also have to adapt.

Drivers using taxi apps have their vehicles seized in Beijing

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2015-01-08

A taxi-hailing app. (Photo/CNS)

The Beijing Transportation Bureau roamed airports, train stations and city's the commercial district on Tuesday and Wednesday, seizing the vehicles of anyone using taxi-hailing apps such as Didi Dache and Uber to find clients, reports yicai.com, the website of the Shanghai-based China Business News.

A smartphone screenshot circulating on the internet in China said "as of 15:00, around 200 vehicles have been confiscated. The target of law enforcement today (Jan. 7) is 500 cars! Every vehicle at airports and train stations will be checked. Everyone please be highly cautious and try not to find clients at airports and train stations!"

The average taxi using the hailing app earns around 10,000 yuan (US$1,600) a month, according to the report. Zhang, one of the drivers, said he gets to keep 80% of his fare for trips to the airport, with the remaining 20% going to the app service. If he takes a fare by the same route during rush hour, the app does not charge him any fee and doubles whatever he makes for the trip.

China's domestic taxi-hailing apps, such as Didi Dache and Yongche, also pay an additional 1-2,000 yuan (US$160-$325) a month to drivers depending on their performance.

Zhang could make up to 700 yuan (US$113) with the app in one morning. He only drives part-time on every other day, a schedule he says is quite common among taxis in the city working with the app. Some drive full-time for CEOs and big wigs, and use the app to make money on the side.

Many of the apps hire drivers with contracts, bypassing Chinese law which specifies that leased vehicles cannot be provided for drivers. The apps have a car rental company to register vehicles under their names and have a recruitment company to hire the vehicle owners as drivers. The apps, the car rental company and the recruitment firm and the driver then sign a joint contract.

The transportation bureau in Beijing said the contract cannot bypass the laws and the apps' services are illegal in nature, according to the report. The bureau has stepped up its crackdown on vehicles and drivers using the apps since January this year. The drivers of 47 vehicles found using the apps did not even sign a contract with a car rental company.

Many people still prefer to hail taxis through the apps due to the low number of taxis in the country. Currently only 60% of the demand for taxis in China is being met and around 20 million people a day have trouble finding one. However, legal taxi drivers have been struggling with low pay since they have to pay taxi companies a commission on top of their car maintenance and insurance.

Around 100 taxi drivers gathered in front of the square in Shenyang in northeast China's Liaoning province on Jan. 4, calling on the government to ban the apps and their drivers and reduce the fuel surcharge for legal taxi drivers.

Saudi women's driving campaign a 'success'

Yahoo – AFP, 26 Oct 2014

A Saudi woman gets into a taxi in the city of Riyadh on October 26, 2014, as a online

 campaign continues to call for an end to the driving ban for women in the country (AFP

Photo/Fayez Nureldine)

Riyadh (AFP) - Activists pushing for women's right-to-drive in Saudi Arabia declared their online campaign a success Sunday, in the world's only country where women are not allowed to operate cars.

The campaign that began last year and revved up again since the beginning of the month encouraged women to post online images of themselves driving.

Dozens of women have driven and posted during the latest campaign, one activist said, although she knew of only two who hit the streets Saturday and Sunday as the campaign peaked.

Saudi activist Manal Al Sharif drives her

 car in Dubai on October 22, 2013, as she

 campaigns for women's rights to drive in

the country (AFP Photo/Marwan Naamani)

"A day hasn't gone by without receiving one or two videos" of women driving, said the activist.

Men and women have also posted messages of support.

More than 2,800 people have signed an online petition at www.oct26driving.com asking authorities to lift the ban on women driving.

The activist said she did not want to be named because the interior ministry has threatened her with arrest if she speaks publicly about the campaign.

Last year, activists also focused their demands on October 26, when at least four driving videos were posted on YouTube.

Sixteen or more women were fined for taking the wheel on that day.

There is a "huge risk" for female drivers, the activist said when asked why more had not posted images of themselves this year.

Women have previously been arrested, cars have been confiscated, and one received 100 lashes, she alleged.

"So, women are afraid," the activist said.

She added that, apart from driving, the campaign is also about "creating a storm" over the issue.

On Thursday the interior ministry issued a warning to would-be female drivers and their supporters.

The ministry said it would "strictly implement" measures against anyone who "contributes in any manner or by any acts, towards providing violators with the opportunity to undermine the social cohesion".

That means the campaign has had an impact, the activist said.

"I think it's pretty successful. If we're getting a reaction, that means we're effective."

'Half a citizen'

Sahar Nasief defied the warnings and got behind the wheel anyway on Sunday.

"The roads were full of police cars... everybody was on alert," she told AFP from the Red Sea city of Jeddah after running a 15-minute errand in her car because her driver wasn't available.

The authorities' response shows the driving campaign has been "very successful," she agreed.

"Its sad that you live in a country where you feel like half a citizen, that you are a threat to national security," another driver said in a YouTube video posted on Saturday.

Dressed in black with only her eyes exposed, she said she was driving in Riyadh on the weekend.

Saudi women are required to dress in black from head to toe and still need permission from a male guardian to work and marry.

Activists say women's driving is not against the law.

Tradition and custom are behind the prohibition, which is not backed up by an Islamic text or judicial ruling, the online petition states.

But activists said they feel the conservative society is becoming more accepting of women motorists.

"A lot of people now are for the campaign," Nasief said.

Another activist, Aziza al-Yussef, said people notice that she is a woman driver and don't seem to care.

"We are just waiting for a decree from the king to allow it," she said, optimistic that a change is coming.

Hardline clerics protested when King Abdullah, in January last year, decided to give women a 20 percent quota in the previously all-male Shura Council, an advisory body.

The unnamed activist said "it's hard to say" if women are closer to the right to drive.

In the meantime activists say they will keep raising their voices, and getting behind the wheel.

Ranting bus passenger forced to make public apology

Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2014-08-09

Jackson Chu, right, apologizes to the bus driver he subjected to a verbal
assault, Aug. 8 (Photo/CNA)

A Taiwanese American man who recently threw a tantrum on a bus and verbally assaulted the driver in a foul-mouthed tirade in English made an open apology to the driver on Friday.

Jackson Chu called the Taoyuan Bus Co to say that he wished to apologize to the driver, Chen Chin-chi, in private, a request that was rejected outright by the company given the notoriety of the incident, which had been captured by a fellow passenger who uploaded it to the internet. The video swiftly went viral and pitchforks were out for the "foreigner," as the poster supposed him to be, as did the first media outlets to jump on the story.

The company insisted instead that Chu instead make an open apology at a police station, so he presented himself at a police station later that day where he read a statement in halting Mandarin Chinese interspersed with English.

Chu said it was not right for him to have used bad language and that he was "impolite." He apologized to Chen and the passengers on the bus.

Chu also asked Chen's forgiveness and expressed hope that he can continue to ride on his bus. He and Chen then shook hands and hugged, with Chen saying that he forgave Chu and welcomes him to use his bus again.

"We are a happy country, he is our guest and we welcome him to take our bus. He has said sorry and that will do," Chen said, adding that he did not want a minor dispute to turn into a big confrontation.

Chen said that although he did not understand all of Chu's Chinese, he felt his sincerity.

The bus company, which had earlier decided to file a lawsuit against Chu, said the incident "has come to a happy conclusion" and that it would drop the suit.

Chu lost his temper when the driver went past his stop — witnesses claim he pushed the bell too late — and swore and used intimidating body language as he demanded the driver apologize.

Chu's behavior was widely condemned online and internet users used a "human flesh search" to identify him and publish information about him and his wife, who was also present during the incident. The practice of seeking out and shaming people who break the rules of social conduct is common in China, but is not seen so often in Taiwan.

When identified as the ranter, Chu initially defended his outburst as "protecting" his pregnant wife, and later threatened to sue the college student who posted the video online, but later decided not to do so.

More Saudi women defy driving ban

Google – AFP, 10 October 2013

A Saudi woman gets out of a car after being given a ride by her driver in

Riyadh, on May 26, 2011 (AFP/File, Fayez Nureldine)

Riyadh — Saudi women are increasingly getting behind the wheel in defiance of a driving ban ahead of a nationwide campaign planned by female activists for later this month, witnesses said.

A video posted on social networks this week shows a fully veiled woman driving in Riyadh as male motorists and families gave her the "thumbs up" in support.

"Several women are now driving but not being filmed," said activist Khulud al-Fahd.

"I saw a woman in (the eastern city of) Khobar driving. This is becoming more acceptable and is no longer rejected as it once was," she told AFP.

Residents of the Red Sea port of Jeddah say that seeing women drive is becoming increasingly common in the country's commercial capital known for being more socially open than other regions of the ultra-conservative kingdom.

Female Saudi activists are planning an October 26 initiative to defy the long-standing ban on women driving.

On Tuesday, three female members of advisory body the Shura Consultative Council filed a recommendation that the ban be lifted, said one of them, Latifa al-Shaalan.

Their recommendation urges the kingdom's top consultative body to "recognise the rights of women to drive a car in accordance with the principles of sharia (Islamic law) and traffic rules".

"There is no law that bans women from driving. It is only a matter of tradition," Shaalan said.

Last month, a Saudi cleric sparked a wave of mockery online when he warned women that driving would affect their ovaries and bring "clinical disorders" upon their children.

King Abdullah has been carefully treading towards change, introducing municipal elections for the first time in 2005.

In January, he appointed 30 women members for the first time to the 150-member Shura Council which advises him on policy but cannot legislate.

A petition signed in March by 3,000 Saudis had urged the council to launch a debate on the ban in the only country where women are not allowed behind the wheel.

An earlier campaign in June 2011 saw some women being stopped by police and forced to sign a pledge not to drive again.

The 2011 call, spread through Facebook and Twitter, was the largest mass action since November 1990, when 47 Saudi women were arrested and punished after demonstrating in cars.

In addition to the driving ban, Saudi Arabia imposes other major restrictions on women, including the requirement to cover themselves from head to toe in public.

Related Article:

Saudi Arabian Women Urged To Protest Against Driving Ban By Getting Behind The Wheel On October 26

Drivers Beware: Jakarta Police Install CCTV at Busy Sarinah Intersection

The Jakarta Globe

A closed circuit television (CCTV) system has been installed at the Sarinah intersection on Jalan M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta on Monday night in an attempt to discourage dangerous driving in the area.

Jakarta Police’s Traffic Directorate and the Transportation Office installed the cameras, which were officially put to use on Tuesday morning.

According to Jakarta Police’s traffic director Sr. Comr. Condro Kirono, motorists must be more discipined because the camera is able to automatically take pictures of motorists who violate traffic regulations.

Condro said that the camera is linked to Jakarta Police’s Traffic Management Center. The pictures will be processed along with a police note that will be sent to the violator’s address.

In January 2010, Jakarta Police planned to add more CCTV devices along other main streets such as Sudirman, Senayan, Fatmawati, Grogol and Gatot Subroto.

Bus Rolls in South Sulawesi After Driver Was Allegedly Playing With Cellphone

The Jakarta Globe

While Jakarta Police try and raise awareness of a policy banning the use of cellphones while driving, a bus rolled in South Sulawesi on Monday because its driver was reportedly playing with his phone.

The inter-province bus rolled in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi. Passengers reported that the driver was playing with his cellphone while driving just before the incident occurred.

The bus was carrying passengers from Makassar to Tana Toraja when it suddenly spun out of control and almost hit a house before it rolled on to its side. There were no fatalities but a number of passengers suffered from minor injuries.

Police have not yet questioned the driver because he passed out and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Police have said they are still trying to educate the public about a policy that bans the use of cellphones while driving.

Jakarta Police Traffic Director Sr. Comr. Condro Kirono said the law did not directly ban the use of cellphones. Chapter 283 of Law No 2/2009 only stated that anyone who drives abnormally or undertakes another activity or is influenced by a condition that disrupts their concentration while driving could face a punishment of up to three months in prison or pay a Rp 750,000 ($75) fine.

“Some of the things that can disturb drivers’ concentration are alcohol, drugs and cellphone use. We are still educating the public so we won’t apply the Rp 750,000 fine yet,” Condro told Metro TV.

JG

Clampdown

The Jakarta Post | Wed, 03/18/2009 12:54 PM

Officers from the Jakarta Transportation Agency clamp the wheel of a car parked by the curb on Jl. Wahid Hasyim in Central Jakarta. The city has taken a strict line on parking violations in a bid to help reduce traffic jams caused by parked vehicles taking entire lanes of roads. Owners of clamped cars must go to the agency or officers to have the clamp removed, and must later pay fines to the Jakarta Police. JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

Police service improvements: How long will they last?

Desy Nurhayati ,  THE JAKARTA POST ,   JAKARTA  |  Tue, 02/10/2009 11:14 AM  
 

Mobile unit: A man pays his vehicle tax at a Jakarta Police’s mobile integrated service unit in Pasar Baru, Centra Jakarta. People say the mobile service offers faster service. JP/Ricky Yudhistira 

Although the police force was dubbed the most bribe-riddled institution by a recent survey, some people have acknowledged improvements in the administration of police services. 

Drivers said they had noticed improvements when applying for licenses or arranging renewals.

Rather than a strict adherence to its motto, “Serving and protecting the community”, the police were believed only to be ready to serve when the money was ready. 

But sentiment among drivers at the Integrated Service Office (Samsat) in Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, was a little different. 

“When applying for a driver’s license, service should be just like this, quick and with no extra fees,” said Ameria, a Pasar Minggu resident renewing his license at Samsat. 

The driving license service is notorious for corruption. Applicants often paid officers additional charges, and calo (middlemen) benefited from applicants wanting to jump long procedural queues.   

According to procedure, licenses should only cost Rp 105,000 (US$9.12) – Rp 15,000 for a health check, Rp 75,000 for the application forms and Rp 15,000 for insurance. 

Ameria said he used to spend around Rp 500,000 on a new driving license, using calo and insiders to help speed up the process. 

“I am wondering how long the good service will last,” he said. “I hope it is not just because police corruption is under the public spotlight.” 

Several applicants at Samsat on the same day gave similar views, saying they were satisfied with the improved services. None of them were offered brokerage services by calo. 

“There are no calo here,” said Kadirin, a Samsat officer. “Every applicant should undergo normal procedures. We are ready to guide them from the first window to the next.” 

Although the middlemen do not openly offer their services to applicants, they still work around the office fulfilling other jobs, ready to offer their calo services. 

“When I entered the office, an officer offered to guide me through the procedure and take me to all of the windows,” said Lina, another applicant. 

“He obviously asked for a fee after I received my license. I gave him Rp 20,000 and that was the only extra fee I spent.”  

The police were also praised for their mobile service for vehicle documentation. 

Motorists have found the mobile service a big help in getting their ownership documents and driving licenses renewed faster and cheaper, without having to go to the Daan Mogot service center or the municipal police headquarters. 

The mobile units are available in each of the city’s five municipalities, usually in strategic public spots, such as trade centers. 

Each unit changes location every two weeks. 

“It is much better this way, said Burhan, a Tanah Abang resident visiting a mobile unit in Lindeteves Trade Center in Glodok, West Jakarta. “It only took me about an hour to get my driving license renewed. No calo and no extra fee. I paid Rp 85,000 as it should be.” 

Many Jakarta residents have found officers at police stations more responsive. 

Santi, a resident, said police officers were helpful, especially for those who lost their goods.

“I lost my wallet while walking around Blok M,” he said. “I reported it to the nearest police post, and the officer gave me a letter declaring that I had lost an important document. 

“It was good that I could get the letter quickly, so I could immediately go to the relevant office to renew my document. 

“That was not the first time I have reported to a police post. The officers are always responsive.” 

One of the most frequent public complaints about the police is that traffic police officers often pull over motorists for no reason but to try an extract bribes. 

But a police officer patrolling Jl. Sudirman denied the claims. 

“Want proof?” he said. “We often see private car users breaking the three-in-one rule, but we let them go. We only stop some of the cars and give them warning.” 

“We also do not forbid them for using traffic jockeys.” 

The public can find out information on the schedule of the mobile units by calling the Jakarta Police Traffic Management Centre on 021-527-600-104, by sending an SMS to 1717 or by accessing lantas.metro.polri.go.id. 

The website also provides updated information on the traffic situation on the city’s main routes, which can also be found out by calling the police call center on 112. 

The call center, which is accessible both from mobile phones and fixed lines, was part of the National Police’s newly launched reform program called Quick Wins. 

The aim of the program was to speed up response time to public complaints and to boost transparency in criminal investigations.-JP

Related Article:

Taking advantage of weak law enforcement

Vehicle document centers to open in malls

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 03/27/2008 1:02 AM

The Jakarta Police will launch a new service unit of the Motor Vehicle Document Center (SAMSAT) next month, allowing people to pay vehicle taxes and renew driver's licenses at some shopping centers.

The new unit will operate on the first floor of Artha Gading Mall in North Jakarta, the first floor of Taman Palem Mall in West Jakarta and the seventh floor of Pusat Grosir Cililitan (PGC) in East Jakarta.

"You'll be able to renew your documents while shopping. The counters will be open daily, including holidays," First Insp. Hasbi Ibrahim, in charge of document administration, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

"Jakartans are very busy people and they need to have easy access to arrange such documents. That's why we established the outlets," he said.

Hasbi said the police chose the three shopping centers for their central locations, adding that the service might expand to other shopping centers in the future.

"This is just the beginning. If the public responds well, maybe we will open more outlets," he said.

The new service comes after the success of the police's mobile document unit, launched in 2004, that allows people to arrange vehicle documents in a variety of locations.

The mobile units operate from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on working days in five municipalities across the city. On Saturday, they are open until noon.

Hasbi said the new unit would offer a quality service similar to the mobile units, which have received public applause for quick and efficient service.

Tumpak, a resident who lives near PGC, said he welcomed the new service.

"It is a good idea because it is not far from my house. I usually renew my driving license and vehicle tax documents at the SAMSAT office in Kebon Nanas, East Jakarta," he said.

However, Tumpak said he regretted the outlet was located on the seventh floor.

"It's not practical. People have to take escalators to reach the seventh floor because there is no elevator for visitors in the shopping mall. It would be better to open the outlet on the first floor so that people don't have to go upstairs," he said. (trw)

Police crackdown on airport taxis

The Jakarta Post | Wed, 03/05/2008 1:32 PM

TANGERANG: Police at Soekarno-Hatta airport ticketed some 299 taxi drivers for various violations, including the absence of drivers' licenses or operational permits.

"We even seized 28 cabs from drivers because they could show neither a driver's license or vehicle documents," airport police chief Comr. Sutimin told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The police will conduct such raids regularly, to improve public safety, security and comfort, he said.

The raids, which began Feb. 28, were conducted in response to complaints that many taxi drivers were refusing to use their argometer when taking passengers from the airport to their destinations, Sutimin said.

The raids confirmed many drivers also did not have operational permits from taxi companies, he said.

Officially licensed taxi drivers often lease their taxis to other drivers, Sutimin said.

Need info about traffic? Ask TMC

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It was around 1 p.m. on Thursday and the city police's Traffic Management Center had already received 653 text messages from drivers since 6 a.m.

"We usually receive many SMSs during busy hours, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m." TMC officer Saefuddin told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"Most of the SMSs are from workers asking about information on traffic jams and alternative roads to avoid the jams," he said.

The center was established in 2005 to improve public services and information on traffic.

In addition to providing services to the public, the TMC also helps the police monitor officers more easily as patrol cars are now equipped with the global positioning system.

The TMC receives questions and complaints 24 hours a day via SMS 1717, a call center (021-5276001), the Internet (www.lantas.metro.polri.go.id), Suara Metro police radio (91.1 FM), fax (5276005) and police reports. The center also cooperates with Elshinta and Sonora radio stations.

"We want to be more open to the public. People can also enter the TMC building to watch how we work," another officer, First Adj. Insp. Krisman Menon, told the Post in his office at the city police headquarters, on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta.

To monitor traffic in the city, the TMC has installed 60 CCTV cameras around the capital. The views captured by the cameras are displayed on a big screen at the TMC office.

However, Krisman said only 60 of the cameras were currently in working order.

"Actually it affects our service but we can't repair them because we don't have enough money," he said.

To run the center, TMC officers work in three shifts of 17 people each.

So far this year, the center has received 94,642 SMSs, 17,843 phone calls, 1,615 emails, 476 questions and reports from radio stations and 87 faxes.

It received about 4,000 SMSs when floods hit Jakarta early this month and paralyzed the toll road to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Krisman said most of the people were seeking alternative routes to the airport.

The TMC also receives complaints about damaged roads around the city.

"Many people think that traffic police are in charge of damaged streets ... but it is the Public Works Ministry's responsibility," Krisman said.

"However, we keep accepting the complaints. Then we inform the ministry about the people's complaints so that they can repair the streets."

In addition to providing information and accommodating complaints from Jakartans, TMC also receives crime tips, including on illegal gambling dens and drug dealing spots, as well as bomb threats.

"Most information is useful for us. But we received some bomb hoaxes last year. In one case we were able to arrest the criminal by tracking him through his phone number," said Krisman.

Krisman suggested that people who want to ask for information or file complaints send an SMS instead of calling the center.

"Sending an SMS is more effective than the telephone. You might hear a busy tone when you use the phone because there are many people trying to call us," he said. (trw)

Jakarta police set to launch 'friendly' traffic operation

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In efforts to combat the recent hike in traffic accident numbers, Jakarta's police force said it will launch on Friday an operation called "Simpatik Jaya" across 213 areas in the city.

The `sympathetic will see 2,723 personnel used, is set to run until Feb. 24, and should target drivers violating road rules," said police traffic head Sr.Comr. Djoko Susilo on Thursday.

"We also hope this operation will make motorists more disciplined on the streets and will reduce accidents," Djoko said.

City police recorded a monthly average of 52,793 violations and 453 accidents per month on the road last year.

The numbers increased to 52,984 violations and 538 accidents in January.

The operation would also focus on reducing traffic jams at 72 spots around the city, including Jl. Gatot Subroto and Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta, and Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu and Jl. M.T Haryono in South Jakarta.

The police will also run a campaign around driving discipline in schools, offices and public places.

Djoko said the operation will see police use persuasive tactics when dealing with drivers, rather than immediately providing enforcements or warnings to violators.

"But for violations that may lead to traffic accidents, like reckless driving, we will ticket and fine them," he said.

The operation would involve detectives and intelligence officers.

Djoko said the involvement of other divisions was to overcome road crimes and to prevent police from taking bribes.

There are around 5.5 million vehicles in the city, 98 percent of which are privately owned.

With only 27,340 kilometers of roads, the city experiences severe traffic congestion every working day during peak hours.

Other factors include the fast growth of private vehicle numbers and many unscrupulous police officers, who take bribes to release errant motorists.

The traffic operation is the second transportation-related operation this month. Last week the railway operator company started its train riding discipline campaign, targeting passengers riding on carriage roofs. (dre)

Driving licenses available online

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A convenient new system allowing motorists to renew their driving licenses online was recently introduced in the capital.

The new system, established by the National Police, is also available to motorists in Greater Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Banten, Bali, Lampung and South Sulawesi.

The head of the driving license section at the Jakarta Police headquarters, Comr. Gatot Subroto, said the regional headquarters was using an online database system that recognized every license issued in each region using the system.

"With the new system, driving licenses will be valid at the national level. This means motorists who obtained their driving licenses in Banten, for example, could renew their licenses at the Jakarta Police headquarters," Gatot told The Jakarta Post.

Jakarta introduced the new service on Dec. 26 last year, he said.

The system contains data on up to 20 million driving licenses.

"This new facility will also prevent people from having more than one driving license as their request in one regional office would be recognized by other offices," he said.

"The system also serves as a national identification database that could be used by police when investigating crimes and accidents," he said.

A similar database has been used to record details about hundreds of millions of people since 1992.

The integrated data system will enable criminal investigations to be completed faster, he said.

"We informed everyone who applied for driving licenses recently about the new system," Gatot said.

He said the cost of renewing a license had not changed since the introduction of the new system, with applications still costing Rp 75,000 (US$8.2) and insurance costing Rp 15,000.

Health checks are Rp 10,000 and driving tests cost Rp 5,000 (for obtaining license type C) and Rp 10,000 (for license type A), he added. (dia)

Jakarta to punish reckless ad firms

Mustaqim Adamrah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The property management and control agency is set to hand down punishment to two companies for their negligence in constructing two billboards recently felled by strong winds.

Agency head Hari Sasongko said Saturday the agency had determined negligence in the billboards' construction, based on its findings and reports from the companies.

"They have violated a governor decree. We'll freeze their working licenses for a year," he said.

"We're still preparing documents declaring their punishment, which they will know within a month."

On Nov. 14, a billboard fell on a taxi in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, injuring the driver and two passengers, and another fell on top of an internet cafe and telecommunication kiosk in Setiabudi, South Jakarta.

One fallen billboard near the Grand Indonesia traffic circle disrupted traffic.

Hari said the agency was carrying out legal proceedings only against the two companies who built the billboards in Kebayoran Baru and Setiabudi, exempting the one responsible for the fallen billboard near the Grand Indonesia traffic circle.

"The ... billboard near the Grand Indonesia traffic circle is out of our territory," he said.

"A government regulation allows billboard construction companies to place their temporary ads for a few weeks without being required to ask for an agency-issued license," he said.

The agency has issued 700 business licenses for construction companies since 2002, 400 of which were extended.

Construction companies buy licenses from the agency to erect outdoor advertisement structures in Jakarta and sell the space to advertising companies.

Following the November accidents, the agency planned to revise requirements for building billboards.

In the future, a billboard must be able to withstand winds of 75 to 100 kilometers per hour, higher than old requirement of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour.

Hari said the agency would issue a decree for the future benchmark.

"An advisory team that works for the agency to oversee property structures will hopefully finish drafting the decree within a month," he said.

The agency also planned to require construction companies to replace their single-pole billboards with double-pole billboards to make them stronger.

However, Hari said the plan would likely take months of deliberation among the agency and other stakeholders, including the city spatial planning agency and the city revenue agency.

"We need to find a way to strictly implement safety standards, as well as keep the city's revenue from ads from decreasing," he said.