Jasa Marga for toll road hike<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga is
\nscheduled to meet Minister of Communications Agum Gumelar on
\nFriday to request his approval of their proposal to increase
\ntolls for eight turnpikes.<\/p>\n
Company spokesman David Wijayatno said after a meeting between
\nthe company and consumers on Wednesday that PT Jasa Marga would
\nalso report the valuable input from the meeting.<\/p>\n
Following strong public opposition, the company has embarked
\non a campaign to publicize its plan to increase the tolls.<\/p>\n
Meetings with consumers have been held in Jakarta, Surabaya
\nand Bandung to gather input.<\/p>\n
Jasa Marga operational director Marijanto told consumers in
\nBandung on Wednesday the company had no other choice to cover its
\nhuge expenses but to increase tolls by 30 percent.<\/p>\n
Marijanto said the increase was sought for Jakarta's Jagorawi,
\nJakarta-Cikampek and Jakarta-Tangerang highways, Tangerang-Merak
\nand Padalarang-Cileunyi in West Java and Surabaya-Gempol in East
\nJava and North Sumatra's Belawan-Medan-Tanjung Morawa.<\/p>\n
However, the toll hike has been decried by members of the
\npublic, councillors and consumer activists. Jasa Marga has been
\naccused of ignoring the interests of the public.<\/p>\n
A consumer activist said the government and the toll road
\noperators invariably argued the toll hike was to cover
\nmaintenance costs which were much higher than their revenue.<\/p>\n
Marijanto said his company was left \"dizzy\" in trying to curb
\nthe operational costs of the turnpikes, accounting for 80 percent
\nof the total revenue.<\/p>\n
\"Jasa Marga collects some Rp 700 billion annually from the
\ntolls. We have debts totaling Rp 400 billion. This is very
\nburdening.\"<\/p>\n
He said the 30 percent increase would be ideal, judging from
\nthe fact the tolls were not increased for 10 years, while the
\noperational costs rose from day to day.<\/p>\n
He promised the company would improve its public service in
\nline with the toll hike. (25\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jasa-marga-for-toll-road-hike-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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