Jakarta Organda seeks bus fare increase<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda)
\nrevealed on Monday that they had agreed to propose an increase in
\npublic bus fares in the capital by an average of Rp 600 (6 US
\ncents) starting on May 18.<\/p>\n
\"In today's meeting, we (Organda) reached an agreement to
\nraise bus fares,\" Putu Wirta Antara, deputy chairman of Organda
\ntold The Jakarta Post over the phone.<\/p>\n
According to Putu, the fares would be raised by Rp 600. Fares
\nfor regular buses will be set at Rp 1,200, from the current Rp
\n700. Fares of medium-sized and small-seater buses, which are Rp
\n900 currently, will be increased to Rp 1,500.<\/p>\n
Students are also required to pay Rp 500 under the new rate as
\ncompared to the current Rp 300 fare for big and medium-sized
\nbuses.<\/p>\n
Putu, who is also chairman of Jakarta Transportation
\nCooperative (Kopaja), said that the fare hike was unavoidable as
\nthe fuel price increase had resulted in higher prices of tires
\nand auto parts.<\/p>\n
\"The maintenance costs have become too burdensome for us to
\nstay profitable, while the government continues to increase fuel
\nprices,\" Putu said, referring to the government's latest decision
\nto raise fuel prices again by 14 percent from the levels in
\nApril.<\/p>\n
The proposal will be submitted to the city administration,
\nwhich has the authority to regulate the new fares. But before
\nimposing the new rates the administration must first consult the
\nCity Council.<\/p>\n
The last fare increase was in July last year with an increase
\nof between 28 percent and 50 percent.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, several public transportation vehicle drivers
\ninterviewed by The Jakarta Post on Monday received the plan
\ncoolly. They said that there were still many passengers unwilling
\nto pay the previous increase as they were burdened with the price
\nincreases of other goods.<\/p>\n
\"Many passengers still refuse to pay the current fare of Rp
\n700. Instead, they insist on paying only Rp 500,\" said Pulungan,
\na driver of a public bus which serves the Kampung Melayu-
\nManggarai route.<\/p>",
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