Mikrolet drivers protest closed-door regulations<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Many of the 12-seat Mikrolet minibuses are
\nprotesting the Jakarta chapter Land Transport Owners'
\nOrganization (Organda) decision requiring them to install a
\nspecial door \"handle\" at one establishment.<\/p>\n
The installation of the additional lever-like handle enables
\nthe drivers to open and close the doors without having to leave
\nthe driver's seat.<\/p>\n
\"It's not fair because the price set by the cooperative is
\nhigher compared to other places,\" said Syamsurizal, a driver of
\nMikrolet plying the Senen-Kampung Melayu route told The Jakarta
\nPost yesterday.<\/p>\n
He added that the Budiluhur cooperative, a place appointed by
\nOrganda for Mikrolet to install the additional apparatus, set the
\nprice at Rp 75,000 (US$34.9) per car, Rp 45,000 higher than the
\nprice at other places.<\/p>\n
Anto, a driver of a Mikrolet plying the Kampung Melayu-Pasar
\nMinggu route, concurred with Syamsurizal about the matter saying
\nthat minibus drivers will go on strike again if Organda does not
\nreview the policy.<\/p>\n
The closed-door policy as dictated by the 1992 Traffic Law
\nobliges the crew of public transit vehicles throughout the
\ncapital city, including the 12-seat minibuses, to close their
\ndoors while their vehicles are in motion.<\/p>\n
All public transport companies abided by the rule, except
\nowners and drivers of minibuses, such as KWK, Mikrolet, and
\nAngkutan Perkotaan, whose crews went on strike in protest of the
\nimplementation of the regulation early this year.<\/p>\n
The drivers of the minibuses argued they could not afford
\nconductors solely for opening and closing the doors.<\/p>\n
Police have given owners of public transit vehicles, including
\nthe 12-seat minibuses, until early next year to fully comply with
\nthe closed-door policy after they postponed the implementation of
\nthe policy in May in the wake of protests from minibus drivers.<\/p>\n
Police said that the closed-door policy was aimed at improved
\npassenger safety, not to impose a burden on the owners and
\ndrivers of minibuses.<\/p>\n
Syamsuddin, another Mikrolet driver, suspects that there is
\nsomething behind Organda's policy. \"Maybe some people want to
\nmake money for their own interests,\" he said. (yns)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mikrolet-drivers-protest-closed-door-regulations-1447893297",
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