JAKARTA— Land transport operator Perum DAMRI is awarded the second best transport safety in 2016 from the Ministry of Transport. The Minister of Transport (MoT) Budi Karya Sumadi presented the award at the Head Office of the Ministry of Transport, Wednesday, 21 December 2016.
Apart from Perum DAMRI, there are three operators of other modes of transportation were awarded. They are considered to meet the standards and best safety procedures. In a row, four of the best transport operator is PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) (score 95.91), Perum DAMRI (89.56), PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (PELNI), and PT Dharma Lautan Utama (score 86.94).
The Minister of Transport said that transport safety is very important and must be put forward. He said that transport operators are the spearhead. The award is scored by evaluating and assessing the safety performance of individual transport operators in 2015. This assessment takes place every year.
Such assessment aims to promote and realize the establishment of the best transportation service in ensuring transport safety levels. This activity will continue to be improved and perfected.
Perum DAMRI is a state-owned enterprise (SOE) which has a long history. It even had existed before Indonesia’s independence in 1945. The history of DAMRI began in 1943, when the Japanese colonial government had two general transport services. The first was Java Unyu Dzigyosha (of freight) with trucks, carts. The second was Dzidosha Sōkyoku (passenger) with a motor vehicle (bus).
In 1945 Indonesia became independent and the Ministry of Perhoeboengan RI (Java Unyu Dzigyosha) changed its name to “Djawatan Pengangkoetan” for the transportation of goods. Dzidosha Sōkyoku turned into “the Department of Land Transport” to transport passengers.
On 25 November 1946, the two organizations merged under “Makloemat Minister Perhoeboengan RI No.01 / DAM / 46”. Then the government established “Department of Motor Angkoetan of Republic of Indonesia” abbreviated into DAMRI. Its main task was to organize land transportation with buses, trucks, and other motorized transportation.
This task precisely spurred the spirit of “historicity” of DAMRI in playing an active role in the pursuit of the struggle for independence against the Dutch aggression in Java.
In 1961 there was a shift of status of DAMRI into the Governing Body Works State Company (BPUPN) based on PP 233 Year 1961. In 1965 BPUPN was abolished and the DAMRI was et into a state enterprise (PN).
In 1982 DAMRI switched its status to a Public Corporation (Perum) under PP 30 and in 1984 with PP 31, 2002, until now. Perum DAMRI has the mandate and the authority to enforce public transport services for passengers or goods on the road with motor vehicles. (*)
