Civil Servants And ASN Palu Required To Take Public Transportation Twice A Week

Trans Palu buses carry passengers in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Tuesday (1/10/2024). (ANTARA)

The Palu City Government encourages changes in the behavior of the apparatus by requiring all Civil Servants (PNS) and State Civil Apparatus (ASN) to use public transportation, especially Trans Palu Buses, at least twice a week as a form of support for environmentally friendly public transportation.

"This is mandatory. ASNs must use buses at least twice a week," said Palu Mayor Hadianto Rasyid, Sunday, June 8, in Palu, as quoted by ANTARA.

The regulation, he continued, is part of the Palu Mayor's Instruction as an effort to reduce the use of private vehicles and support energy efficiency and pollution control in urban areas.

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of Palu City, Irmayanti Pettalolo, added that ASN was also asked to show evidence of non-cash payment transactions (QRIS) for travel by Trans Palu Bus and report it to their respective work units.

"We appeal to the monitoring mechanism. The travel evidence will be one of the administrative requirements, especially those related to Additional Employee Income (TPP)," he said.

He also explained that the cost of riding a bus is quite affordable, only Rp. 5,000 per trip, so it does not burden ASN. The Palu City Government believes that with this policy, concern for the environment will increase as private vehicles are reduced on city streets.

On the other hand, the Palu City Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) assessed the importance of a thorough evaluation of the performance of the Trans Palu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which has been operating for eight months. The trial period for mass transportation was previously carried out from October to December 2024.

This BRT program is the result of a collaboration between the Palu City Government and PT Bagong Transport. However, a report from the DPRD states that the occupancy rate of passengers continues to decline from time to time.

"Even though every month, a budget of Rp. 1.8 billion is allocated for operational costs. But the results are not as expected," said a board member.

It was recorded that in the 2024 fiscal year, the total funds disbursed from the APBD reached Rp17.12 billion. Additional funds of Rp5.6 billion have also been prepared through the APBD Amendments of the same year. However, according to the DPRD, transparency in program management and accountability still requires serious improvement.