Jakarta. Special school buses for students with disabilities have officially started operating in Jakarta on Monday. 

The Head of the Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, said that the buses can accommodate seven passengers with wheelchairs, ten seated passengers, and 19 standing passengers.

In addition, various facilities are available on buses for students with disabilities, including textile flooring that serves as a guide for visually impaired students. The bus is also equipped with CCTV.

"Hydraulic systems are prepared so that the wheelchair doesn't have to be pushed but can be placed on a platform and lifted into the bus, then loaded, and vice versa," Syafrin said.

According to The Jakarta Transportation Agency, these buses operate on five routes daily. The routes cover Rorotan-Marunda in North Jakarta, Plumpang in North Jakarta to Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, Kalideres in West Jakarta, Lubang Buaya in East Jakarta, and Muara Baru in North Jakarta. These routes were selected based on the locations of special needs schools (SLB) and the presence of many students in need of accommodations.

The ceremonial launch of the disability school buses took place at Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday. During the launch, the Acting Governor of Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono, said that the fleet size would be gradually increased, and facilities would be improved based on evaluations.

"The Jakarta Transportation Agency initially needed 80 units, but currently, only five units are available. I hope this initiative will encourage, and it is a special concern. We will gradually improve services and add buses for special needs children," he said.

During the same event, Heru also called on the public to support students with disabilities to continue their education. The Jakarta Provincial Government continues to promote the best facilities to boost the spirit of students with disabilities in acquiring knowledge.