Jakarta – The Transportation Ministry has issued a regulation that requires all public transportation companies to install a global positioning system (GPS) device in every vehicle for monitoring those in operation.

"With GPS, we know where a vehicle stops. We can look at the driver's performance – how they [manage] the vehicles and their speed," Transportation Ministry land transportation director general Ahmad Yani said on Sunday as quoted by kontan.co.id.

The GPS requirement for all public transportation operators is stipulated in Land Transportation Director General Regulation No. KP.2081/AJ.801/DRJD/2019.

The regulation also mandates that the GPS must provide information on the vehicle's real-time position on Google Maps, odometer data on the vehicle's speed, pick-up and destination locations, transit routes, transit time, seven-day transit records and over-speed warnings for drivers.

Ahmad Yani said the GPS requirement would also benefit the transportation companies in improving efficiency.

Indonesia Bus Operator Association (IPONO) chairman Kurnia Lesani Adnan welcomed the new regulation, agreeing that it would help improve the efficiency of bus operations.

"It will be more efficient because there will be no misuse of the vehicles," he said. However, bus companies would need to invest in the necessary equipment to meet the requirements.

Kurnia estimated that a GPS device would cost from Rp 180,000 (US$12.73) to Rp 300,000, excluding dashboard cameras and other features.

Ahmad Yani said that the government had also readied sanctions for those who ignored the regulation, particularly the provision on extending their operational permits. (bbn)

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/07/08/ministry-requires-gps-on-all-public-vehicles.html