Drivers to sue transportation body<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The drivers and owners of six public transport
\nminivans whose licenses to ply the Salemba-Rawamangun route were
\nwithdrawn only two weeks after they were first issued have said
\nthey plan to sue the city's Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJR)
\nover the matter.<\/p>\n
Paulus R. Mahulete from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, who
\nis representing the aggrieved parties, said the agency revoked
\nhis clients' permits two weeks ago following a protest staged by
\nestablished drivers on the same route who were angered by the
\nnewcomers presence.<\/p>\n
\"We've often tried to discuss the matter with the agency but
\nwe've been met with an unsatisfactory response,\" the lawyer said.<\/p>\n
He said the agency issued permits for 57 minivans to serve the
\nroute in 1996. The minivans were brought into operation to
\nreplace bemo (three-wheeled minivans).<\/p>\n
Paulus said the established drivers had refused to accept the
\nsix additional minivans because they believed their presence had
\ncaused a substantial drop in their daily earnings throughout the
\nfirst two weeks the new vehicles were operating.<\/p>\n
But Paulus said the protesters' claims were groundless, adding
\nthat his clients had met their daily vehicle rental fees of Rp
\n60,000 without any problem over the same period. Drivers must pay
\na daily rental fee to the vehicles' owners and keep any
\nadditional money that they make.<\/p>\n
The lawyer also said that the number of minivans serving the
\nSalemba-Rawamangun route should equate with the number of bemo
\ntaken off the route in 1996, which was 92.<\/p>\n
Last Thursday, a delegation of 10 established drivers went to
\nPaulus' office to demand he stop his efforts to defend the
\nnewcomers' interests.<\/p>\n
Tampubolon, a spokesman claiming to represent the 57
\nprotesting drivers, said the agency had issued a decree stating
\nthat the route was reserved exclusively for the existing 57
\nminivans.<\/p>\n
The protesters also asked Paulus not to sue the agency, a
\nrequest which the lawyer declined to meet.<\/p>\n
\"They were sent by the agency to try to make us drop our
\nplan,\" the lawyer said.<\/p>\n
Paulus and the established drivers are scheduled to meet again
\nsome time next week, he said. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/drivers-to-sue-transportation-body-1447893297",
"image": ""
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