Govt proposes new bus fare system for Idul Fitri<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Transportation will set a ceiling price system
\nfor bus companies during the Idul Fitri exodus and influx period
\nto control bus fares which have traditionally skyrocketed in past
\nyears due to extremely high demand.<\/p>\n
"The ministry is proposing that the bus companies can only
\nraise their prices a maximum of 25 percent. Bus companies will
\nhave to assess the condition of their buses before deciding on
\ntheir new fares.<\/p>\n
"This new system will enable passengers to have their own
\nchoice," spokesman of the ministry's land transportation
\ndirectorate general, Barata told The Jakarta Post Thursday.<\/p>\n
Barata, however, said the proposal had to be approved by the
\nHouse of Representatives (DPR) before being put into effect.<\/p>\n
"The House will determine which system is to be used and the
\namount of the increased rate as well," he said, adding that the
\nministry will send the proposal to the House soon.<\/p>\n
Last year, the government and DPR agreed on a 12 percent hike
\nalthough bus companies asked for at least an increase of 25
\npercent.<\/p>\n
Idul Fitri falls on Dec. 6 and 7, the travel period is usually
\none week before and week afterward.<\/p>\n
The ministry has also set Nov. 29 until Dec. 14 as the
\nofficial Idul Fitri travel period wherein the fare ceiling will
\nbe effective. It expects the exodus peak to be from Nov. 29 to
\nDec. 1 and on Dec. 4. Meanwhile, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 are expected
\nto have the highest number of travelers returning.<\/p>\n
It is the tradition of the Muslims throughout the country to
\nhave a family reunion in their home villages during the Idul
\nFitri holidays.<\/p>\n
Last year, about 1.1 million Jakarta residents left the city
\nduring Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
The ministry is expecting that there will be an increase of 9
\npercent of residents who will travel during Idul Fitri nationwide
\nfrom some 18.1 million passengers last year to about 19.8 million
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tulus Abadi of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation
\n(YLKI) said the government should pick a better time to apply the
\nnew ceiling system.<\/p>\n
"The Idul Fitri seasonal exodus is such a critical time to
\napply the system. Besides, the government has yet to publicize
\nthis new rate structure," he told the Post.<\/p>\n
"The ceiling price system is just fine but it does not solve
\nthe real problems of transportation during Idul Fitri."<\/p>\n
According to Tulus, travelers would have almost no bargaining
\npower during the Idul Fitri period.<\/p>\n
"Prices of daily goods have been skyrocketing and there are
\npossibilities that bus fares will be raised during Idul Fitri
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
"The residents themselves do not enjoy the increase in their
\nexpenses," he added.<\/p>\n
Tulus said the bus companies actually did not need such a rate
\nincrease or the ceiling price system as long as the government
\ncould ensure orderly travel.<\/p>\n
"The transportation officials must work hard to provide smooth
\ntraffic during the exodus and influx period."<\/p>\n
During the peak season, traffic jams often occur along the
\nmain roads connecting Jakarta and other big cities in Central and
\nEast Java due to the huge number of travelers.<\/p>\n
Tulus also said YLKI would open its own posts to enable
\nresidents who want to file complaints about the transportation
\nservice during Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
Barata said all passengers could file their complaints over
\nbus company service through a special form provided at all major
\nbus terminals.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-proposes-new-bus-fare-system-for-idul-fitri-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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