Drivers' strike recedes, fares increase<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A mass strike by public minibus drivers receded in most parts
\nof the country on Tuesday, but commuters had to pay the price as
\nthe drivers unilaterally increased the fares.<\/p>\n
Albeit far smaller in magnitude, the strike continued in
\nYogyakarta, the Central Java town of Batang and the West Java
\ntown of Cirebon.<\/p>\n
The West Java capital of Bandung, which was hit by the major
\nstrike on Monday, returned to normal on Tuesday. Minibuses were
\nseen operating after the government unveiled the estimate of new
\nfares which would be increased some 30 percent.<\/p>\n
The new fares took effect on Tuesday although the local
\ngovernments had not yet formalized them.<\/p>\n
\"We just let drivers increase the fares according to our
\nestimate. At least they are not arbitrarily jacking up the
\nprices,\" Bandung Mayor Aa Tarmana said.<\/p>\n
In neighboring Bandung regency, the local administration
\nallowed only a 10 percent increase. The decision upset many
\ndrivers who then chose to raise the fares by 20 percent or Rp 200
\non average.<\/p>\n
Cirebon woke up to a second strike in as many days with some
\n120 public transportation drivers, who normally ply the route
\nbetween Cirebon and Indramayu, participating. Hundreds of
\npassengers, mostly school children, were left stranded until the
\nlocal administration deployed trucks and buses to pick them up.<\/p>\n
\"We resorted to a strike to protest the government's policy
\nwhich did not heed the aspirations of poor people,\" said Gojali,
\none the drivers.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Cirebon chapter of the land transportation
\nowners association Iskandar AB said the organization could not do
\nanything but allow the fare increases. \"But on the other hand, we
\nunderstand that people had shouldered heavier burdens due to the
\nhike in prices of other commodities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
West Java Governor R. Nuriana gave a green light on Monday
\nevening to regency and mayoralty administrations to raise the
\ntransportation fares.<\/p>\n
\"We are studying all possibilities, including the demand to
\nincrease bus fares, particularly for intercity buses,\" Nuriana
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He stressed the price hike was only natural following the
\ngovernment's decision to increase the fuel price by an average of
\n14.5 percent last week. But he was quick to add that the new
\nfares would not take effect in the near future.<\/p>\n
Separately, in Makassar, clashes between students from the
\nIndonesian Islamic University (UMI) who protested against the
\nfuel price hike and the Makassar Police on Monday, continued with
\nstudents blockading Jl. Urip Sumohardjo on Tuesday, by burning
\ntires along the road and holding up banners.<\/p>\n
All passing vehicles were forced to turn back, which created a
\nlarge traffic jam.<\/p>\n
\"We demand that the government forget about this price hike
\nbecause it is intolerable that in these extremely rough times,
\nthe government continues to increase fuel prices,\" a student
\nprotester, Ridhwan, said. Other students were seen distributing
\nflyers which stated that UMI students rejected the fuel price
\nhikes.<\/p>\n
On Monday, trouble in Makassar began when UMI students
\nprotesting the fuel price hike clashed with the police. Five
\nstudents and two police officers were injured in the violence.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of students on Tuesday were also seen checking
\npassengers in every passing vehicle, including private sedans.<\/p>\n
\"If there is a police officer seen in the vehicle, grab him,\"
\nshouted one student emotionally.<\/p>\n
In their speeches, students said they regretted the tough
\naction police took against students on Monday, which ended with
\nat least five students being injured.<\/p>\n
\"Clashes on Monday occurred because officers started the
\nshooting first... we were also shocked to see the police
\nprovoking the general public to fight against us,\" UMI student
\ncoordinator Nasir told protesters.<\/p>\n
\"Makassar Police chief Amin Saleh should be forced to resign
\nfrom his job over this.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/drivers-strike-recedes-fares-increase-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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