(9/27/2010)
The Bali Transportation Agency has formed an inter-agency enforcement team to bring an estimated 8.631 illegal tourist transport vehicles into line. Included in the ad hoc enforcement team are representatives of the police, Jasa Raharja (public roadway and transport insurers), Organda (Bali Land Transport Organization) and Pawiba (Bali Tourism Transportation Association).
As reported in Bali Post, the chief of the Bali Transportation Agency, Made Santha (Kadishub), said on Wednesday, September 22, 2010: "Through the involvement of these organizations we are hoping that a comprehensive solution (to illegal transport) can be achieved. Later, each of these components will work in their respective areas: the police will handle the violations of Law number 22 of the 2009 transport law; Jasa Raharja will address insurance issue compliance; and Pawiba will work on issues related to compliance by their members with its organizational rules."
Santha said the Transportation Agency will not hesitate to take action against vehicles found to be breaking the law. These steps are in conformance with governor Pastika's instruction to create a strict law enforcement regime in order to address the many problems affecting Balinese tourism.
Said Santha: "The results of the enforcement process will serve as a benchmark to determine Bali's carrying capacity. Is the current fleet of transport vehicles sufficient to meet tourism demand?"
The sweeps scheduled for October will be focused on tourism vehicles from outside of Bali thought to be disrupting the business of local tourism operators. The team will also reportedly address kickbacks to officials which have formed the basis of many complaints from Bali tourism operators.
In the past Pawiba has complained of illegal tourism transport operated by hotels and villas in Bali. The chairman of Pawiba, Bagus Soediana, points to illegal tourism transport using vehicle plates from outside Bali as an item requiring serious attention from the government.
Pawiba has estimated that some 3,200 illegal and unlicensed transport vehicles are now being used by villas in hotels.
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