Millions stranded as drivers strike enters third day<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Millions of commuters were stranded here
\nyesterday and had to struggle to reach their destinations in the
\ncapital as a sit-in protest of minibus drivers continued
\nsporadically.<\/p>\n
Protesting drivers of some 5,000 minibuses said that they will
\nreturn to work only if the government lifts a hefty new ticketing
\ntraffic fine scale, which is much higher than the previous one.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochamad Hindarto announced
\nyesterday afternoon that he had reached an agreement with owners
\nof city bus companies to allow the drivers to return to their
\njobs at 4 o'clock.<\/p>\n
However, by evening no striking drivers had returned to behind
\ntheir steering wheels.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, government officials joined the chorus by
\nsaying they will not be cowed by the protesters.<\/p>\n
\"National discipline is judged by traffic orderliness. If our
\ntraffic is in order, people will surely say that we have good
\nnational discipline,\" Gen. Feisal Tanjung, the commander of the
\nArmed Forces, told reporters yesterday.<\/p>\n
The new law sets fines of between Rp 15,000 ($7) and Rp 50,000
\n($25) for offenses ranging from failing to carry a driver's
\nlicense, jaywalking and ignoring traffic signals.<\/p>\n
Lower level workers and students, apparent victims of the
\nstrike, were spotted yesterday walking along Jakarta's main
\nstreets, waving their hands desperately for a lift or riding in
\npolice-driven trucks.<\/p>\n
At the Blok M mall, the biggest shopping area in South Jakarta
\nwhich also houses a bus terminal, hundreds of students were seen
\nin the shopping area waiting for regular buses.<\/p>\n
A passenger jokingly said that Jakarta looked pale yesterday
\nas the privately-run minibuses, whose colors are orange, dark
\nblue and white with green, were conspicuously absent from the
\nstreets of the metropolis.<\/p>\n
Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said that the
\ngovernment will be consistent in enforcing the law, adding that
\nminibuses should recognize that their frequent tragic accidents
\nhave left them with a less than sterling reputation.<\/p>\n
The strike was participated by drivers of four minibus
\ncompanies: PT Metro Mini, Koperasi Angkutan Jakarta (Kopaja),
\nKoantas Bima and Kowanbisata.<\/p>\n
The worst day<\/p>\n
Drivers of regular buses, taxis and 14-seat vehicles, however,
\nmade the best of the strike by doubling and even quadrupling
\ntheir incomes, especially yesterday, the worst day of the
\nprotest.<\/p>\n
Many taxis ignored their meters and only took passengers on a
\ncharter basis, charging well above the authorized fare.<\/p>\n
A passenger complained that she had to pay Rp 30,000 to travel
\na distance that normally costs Rp 7,000. In South Jakarta taxis
\ncharged Rp 5,000 a person for short trips and took in as many
\npassengers as possible, just like a minibus.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim, the head of the Jakarta-chapter of the
\nMinistry of Transportation, warned the protesters that he will
\nrevoke the route licenses of the protesters should they continue
\nthe boycott.<\/p>\n
Gen. Hindarto announced: \"We're not going to enforce the
\nmaximum fines.\" He added that drivers need not fear sanctions as
\nlong as they obey traffic regulations.<\/p>\n
A leader of the protesters had earlier said that sometimes the
\npolice ticketed them without giving any explanation of their
\ncrimes.<\/p>\n
\"The police like to look for our infractions,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Analysts, however, have said repeatedly said that the main
\nproblem with Jakarta's traffic is that it lacks a rail-based mass
\ntransit system which could accommodate the needs of the public.<\/p>\n
They said that the deadly drivers, corrupt policemen and even
\nthe angry mob, are only the victims of a vicious circle created
\nby the motor-based transportation system. (yns\/bsr\/09)
\nQuestioning -- Page 3<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/millions-stranded-as-drivers-strike-enters-third-day-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}