Federation against increase in fares<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation has
\nasked the Ministry of Transportation to turn down the
\ntransportation owners association's request for an increase in
\npublic transportation fares, saying that the policy will only
\nbenefit the owners.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the federation's sector for transportation, M.
\nCH. David said on Saturday that an official letter had been sent
\nto the ministry.<\/p>\n
He said the association's demand for a 130 percent increase in
\ntransportation fares could hamper political stability and affect
\neconomic growth.<\/p>\n
Last October the association proposed that fares on regular
\nbuses be increased from Rp 250 (11 U.S. cents) to Rp 500, on
\nPatas buses from Rp 550 to Rp 900, and on air-conditioned buses
\nfrom Rp 1,300 to Rp 1,750.<\/p>\n
The association also wants the current taxi flag fall of Rp
\n900 to be increased to Rp 1,500, and the inter-city bus fares to
\nbe determined by the kilometer.<\/p>\n
At the time, association chairman Aip Syarifuddin said the
\ncurrent fares were not suitable, resulting in poor public
\ntransportation services.<\/p>\n
David said on Saturday that the increase in the fares would
\nonly benefit the transportation company owners.<\/p>\n
\"In taxi and public bus companies the shares between the
\nowners and the drivers is not fair,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to David increasing fares is not the only way to
\ndeal with expensive maintenance and fleet renewal.<\/p>\n
David blamed the huge expenses on the testing, operating and
\nbusiness permits the owners must pay. \"The excessive fees could
\nhave been set aside for maintenance and buying new fleets,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Compulsory testing every six months has so far not improved
\nthe road worthiness of buses,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He also said that the government's political will to abolish
\nillegal levies would help both the transportation owners and the
\ndrivers to save money.<\/p>\n
\"We want a tripartite approach to mobilize all potential
\ntransportation sectors. In this way we can build a solid national
\ntransportation system,\" David said. (sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/federation-against-increase-in-fares-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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