Organda accepts 25% increase in bus fare with conditions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta chapter of the Association of Public
\nLand Transportation Owners (Organda) accepted on Friday a 25
\npercent bus fare increase declared on Tuesday by the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
The association however, asked the government to cover all the
\nbuses' operational costs and abolish all levies.<\/p>\n
\"We accept the 25 percent fare hike, although it is too hard
\nfor us to cover our operational costs,\" Organda chairman Aip
\nSyaripuddin said at City Hall.<\/p>\n
Minister of Communication Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar had earlier
\nasked the House to endorse his ministry's proposal of a 35
\npercent hike, while Organda had asked for a 50 percent increase.<\/p>\n
In return for their acceptance of the 25 percent hike, Aip
\nsaid Organda members requested the government's commitment to
\nprovide cheap spare parts and free administrative processing of
\ntheir vehicles' documents.<\/p>\n
\"We ask the Ministry of Communication to help us cover our
\noperational costs,\" Aip said.<\/p>\n
\"They will include tips for duty military and police personnel
\nat bus terminals.\"<\/p>\n
He said the military and police personnel were not paid by
\ntheir respective offices and were a financial burden to the
\nterminal heads.<\/p>\n
\"The terminal heads asked the bus owners to help subsidize the
\nmilitary and police personnel. In return, the owners increased
\ntheir bus fares.<\/p>\n
\"In the end, such practices will place the whole burden on the
\npassengers.\"<\/p>\n
Aip also drew attention to the terminal attendants, who
\nrequested money from every bus leaving the terminal.<\/p>\n
\"The amount depends on the bus route. It can go as high as Rp
\n50,000 (US$6.95) for long-distance buses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We want the ministry to abolish these kinds of practices.\"<\/p>\n
Interpretation<\/p>\n
Aip said the 25 percent hike would be applicable for the
\neconomy classes only.<\/p>\n
\"We will set a different fare hike for the executive classes
\nto subsidize the economy classes.\"<\/p>\n
Head of the City Land Transportation Agency Buyung Atang,
\nhowever, said that Aip's interpretation of the fare hike was
\nincorrect.<\/p>\n
\"The 25 percent hike is indeed applicable to all classes. They
\n(Organda members) cannot impose higher fares,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both Aip and Buyung however, supported residents who chose to
\nuse chartered buses instead of regular services.<\/p>\n
\"They will help reduce the terminals' burden if they use
\nchartered buses, as they don't have to start their trips from the
\nterminals,\" Buyung said.<\/p>\n
\"It will be more convenient and practical for city residents
\nto use the chartered buses,\" Aip added.<\/p>\n
The City Land Transportation Agency has prepared 12 bus
\nterminals throughout the city as points of departure for city
\nresidents planning to celebrate their Christmas, New Year and
\npost-fasting Idul Fitri holidays in their hometowns.<\/p>\n
\"The terminals are Tanjung Priok, Muara Angke and Tanah Merah
\nin North Jakarta; Kampung Rambutan, Pulo Gadung, Rawamangun and
\nPinang Ranti in East Jakarta; Capt. Tendean and Lebak Bulus in
\nSouth Jakarta; Kali Deres and Rawa Buaya in West Jakarta; and
\nKemayoran in Central Jakarta,\" Buyung said.<\/p>\n
He said his agency would set up tents in the terminals to
\nenable passengers to rest while waiting for their buses.<\/p>\n
\"The number of buses will be sufficient, but perhaps there
\nwill be traffic congestion on the highways, forcing a delay in
\ntheir arrival.\"<\/p>\n
Buyung said there were 5,453 intercity buses available in the
\ncity, of which 1,953 were from Jakarta and the other 3,500 from
\nother cities.<\/p>\n
\"There are also 406 city buses available, while state-owned
\nbus company DAMRI will provide 305 buses as reserves.\"<\/p>\n
He said the Jakarta Military Command had also pledged to
\nprovide 30 military trucks.<\/p>\n
\"The tariff is negotiable, as long as the passengers pay for
\nthe fuel.\"<\/p>\n
Buyung predicted that the peak Idul Fitri period would be on
\nJan. 5, when some 152,000 residents were projected to depart from
\nJakarta. It is estimated that 3,056 buses will be necessary for
\nthe holiday crush.<\/p>\n
\"We predict that some 1 million residents will leave the city,
\nand some 1.1 million will arrive in the city,\" Buyung said. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/organda-accepts-25-increase-in-bus-fare-with-conditions-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}