Railway company to raise fine to fare dodgers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State train operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia
\nwill raise the fine for fare dodgers riding trains plying the
\nroutes between Jakarta and cities in West Java beginning on
\nSunday, a company executive said on Friday.<\/p>\n
The head of the company's Jakarta operation, Masjraul Hidajat,
\nsaid any passengers, including food vendors, beggars and
\nmusicians, who failed to show a valid ticket would be fined.<\/p>\n
\"We've suffered great financial losses due to the presence of
\npassengers who ride our trains without paying for tickets,\"
\nMasjraul said.<\/p>\n
He said the company, which serves about 300,000 commuters
\ndaily, had lost an average of Rp 15 million (US$2,170) per day
\nfor years.<\/p>\n
Last year, for example, a survey showed that between 15
\npercent and 20 percent of Kereta's passengers did not purchase a
\nticket, he said.<\/p>\n
Masjraul, however, said his company had so far made few
\nefforts to net fare dodgers.<\/p>\n
\"So far, passengers who are caught without tickets have no
\nproblem paying a fine to the conductors since the amount is so
\nsmall. It's only two times the price of a ticket.<\/p>\n
\"By putting the new fine into effect on Aug. 1 we hope to
\ndeter passengers from not purchasing tickets,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The planned fine hike was stipulated in a directive issued by
\nKereta Api's president on June 30.<\/p>\n
The company's Jakarta operation serves passengers heading to
\nand from train stations in Greater Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang,
\nSukabumi, Merak and Cikampek.<\/p>\n
Ticket prices for the firm's trains range from Rp 300 for
\neconomy class to Rp 6,000 for executive class.<\/p>\n
Under the new fine, passengers will be fined five times the
\nofficial price of a ticket for the furthest destination on the
\nroute. The fine is currently two times the price of a ticket to
\nthe final destination on the route.<\/p>\n
For example, a fare dodger aboard a Jakarta-Bogor Pakuan
\nExecutive train would be fined Rp 30,000, or five times the price
\nof the Rp 6,000 ticket for the furthest destination on the route.<\/p>\n
\"The dodger has to pay this amount even if he or she intended
\nto get off (in the middle of the trip) at the Pasar Minggu
\nstation.<\/p>\n
\"But if he or she refuses to pay the fine, we'll bring the
\ndodger to the nearest train station and seize his or her
\nidentification card or any of their valuables as a guarantee,\"
\nMasjraul said.<\/p>\n
The items will be returned once the fare dodger has paid the
\nfine, he added.<\/p>\n
He also said vendors, musicians and beggars would be bound by
\nthe new regulation.<\/p>\n
\"There will be no discrimination, although we realize they're
\ntrying to make a living on the trains.\"<\/p>\n
Masjraul said the company planned to use the money raised from
\nthe new policy to improve Kereta Api's service, including
\npurchasing new trains. (asa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/railway-company-to-raise-fine-to-fare-dodgers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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