Many stranded as Bogor, Jakarta drivers strike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta and Bogor public transportation
\npassengers became victims of yet more strikes yesterday, as
\nthousands were forced to walk long distances.<\/p>\n
The strike was mostly caused by additional buses and too many
\nfleets plying similar routes, drivers and a bus owner said.<\/p>\n
In Bogor, all 13 routes went on strike following yesterday's
\nprotest by 300 Sukasari-Merdeka route drivers.<\/p>\n
Drivers said they were forced to strike by others. At least
\ntwo vehicles had their windows smashed, but it could not be
\nconfirmed whether drivers were directly involved. A strike was
\nalso reported in Pasar Kemis, Tangerang.<\/p>\n
Eman, a driver who was trying to work, said, \"I haven't
\ncollected any money today. How can I help my wife and kids
\nsurvive?\"<\/p>\n
Some drivers resumed work by late afternoon.<\/p>\n
Other drivers complained to the Bogor township about too many
\nlegal and illegal minivans operating in the city.<\/p>\n
In South and East Jakarta, hundreds of M16 minivans plying the
\nPasar Minggu-Kampung Melayu route and drivers of M02 minivans
\nplying the Pulogadung-Kampung Melayu route entered their second
\nday of strikes.<\/p>\n
Drivers of M01 vans plying the Kampung Melayu-Senen route and
\ndrivers of M31 minivans along the Pondok Kelapa-Kampung Melayu
\nroute also went on strike.<\/p>\n
In West Jakarta, people waited in vain along streets for
\nGrogol-Joglo Metromini buses, whose drivers were protesting new
\nbuses operated by the Koperasi Wahana Kalpika cooperative passing
\ntheir route.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of passengers, including students and employees, were
\nseen waiting on Jl. Dewi Sartika and Jl. Otista in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday
\npolice had deployed at least 20 covered trucks to pick up
\npassengers for the Pasar Minggu-Kampung Melayu route.<\/p>\n
The Kampung Melayu terminal was full of anxious passengers.<\/p>\n
Around 200 drivers and dozens of minivans were seen gathered
\non Jl. Kalibata, South Jakarta. Drivers then demonstrated in
\nfront of the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) in Tanah
\nAbang, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Banners<\/p>\n
Among banners displayed, one read, \"We will continue to strike
\nuntil new permits for new vehicles are revoked.\"<\/p>\n
Saragih, a M16 van driver, said he and his fellow friends were
\nready for a month-long strike until their demands were met.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of drivers had complained to the House of
\nRepresentatives on Monday, but apparently had not been given
\npromising solutions.<\/p>\n
At the Senen bus terminal, passengers searched for means to
\ntheir destinations, since M01 drivers joined the strike.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of passengers were also seen waiting for Metromini
\nbuses plying the 24-kilometer Grogol-Joglo route, since drivers
\nentered their second day of a strike.<\/p>\n
Drivers complained to the West Jakarta mayoralty about new B17
\nbuses run by the Wahana Kalpika cooperative, plying the new
\nCitraland-Kreo route.<\/p>\n
An employee at the West Jakarta Land Transportation Agency
\nsaid the new route had gained approval from the Organization of
\nLand Transportation Owners (Organda).<\/p>\n
The B17 buses had earlier sparked a strike among drivers
\nplying routes to Kebayoran Lama, Tanah Abang and Kebon Jeruk
\nareas.<\/p>\n
Chief of DLLAJ, J.P. Sepang, said the agency has not issued
\npermits for new routes for the past two years. But the result of
\nnew vehicles being added was because \"the limited number of
\nvehicles for each route has not been covered (in the permits)\".<\/p>\n
However, he said, if the agency decided that the number of
\nvehicles for one particular route was enough, new vehicles would
\nnot be added.<\/p>\n
He said he had ordered all DLLAJ offices to review which
\nroutes were overcrowded.<\/p>\n
On the possibility of owners operating old vehicles while they
\nhad obtained permits for new ones, Sepang said permits would be
\nrevoked if the agency found out such practices.<\/p>\n
Aritonang said there might be other parties taking advantage
\nof the strikes.<\/p>\n
\"Drivers' complaints regarding overcrowded routes might be
\ntrue. But their brutal actions by destroying other drivers'
\nvehicles who do not strike is shocking,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said at least five drivers were questioned at West Jakarta
\nPolice precinct during the strikes.<\/p>\n
Chairwoman Tini Hadad from the Indonesian Consumer Association
\nsaid DLLAJ and Organda should cooperate and settle the problem
\nonce and for all.<\/p>\n
Tini said both parties should also talk to drivers and find
\nout what the real problems were. She suggested rerouting all
\ncrowded routes to relatively empty ones.<\/p>\n
The City Development Planning Board is presently conducting a
\nstudy on public transportation with researchers of the Bandung
\nInstitute of Technology. (jun\/cst\/10\/12\/24\/ste)<\/p>",
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