Small bus operators protest fee hike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A group of 12 small bus operators in the capital
\nprotested on Thursday the sharp increase in vehicle inspection
\nand terminal access fees.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the meeting with the City Council Commission C for
\nfinancial affairs, the operators demanded a review of the newly
\nenforced City Bylaw No.3\/1999 on traffic and public
\ntransportation that had stipulated the hike.<\/p>\n
Under the new bylaw, which replaced City Bylaw No. 9\/1992,
\neach bus should pay Rp 40,000 for vehicle inspection fee, a sharp
\nRp 32,250 raise from the previous fee and Rp 79,200 for terminal
\naccess fee, a big difference from the previous Rp 19,800.<\/p>\n
The increase, which took effect on Wednesday, had caused at
\nleast 20 small buses to cancel their inspection and as a result
\nwere banned from operating, a representative from Koperasi Wahana
\nKalpika (KWK), B. Manurung said.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't make any sense. Our operating costs are already
\nhigh due to expensive vehicle spare parts and the fuel price
\nhike,\" said Manurung.<\/p>\n
He said each bus is subject to a biannual check at three
\nappointed locations in Ujung Menteng in East Jakarta, Jagakarsa
\nin South Jakarta and Kedaung in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He added that the terminal access fee, collected every six
\nmonths, was paid along with the vehicle inspection fee.<\/p>\n
Manurung said there were at least 5,164 small buses under the
\nmanagement of KWK owned by 3,311 individuals across the capital.
\nSome 20 small buses are checked everyday.<\/p>\n
\"We are proposing that the previous fees based on City Bylaw
\nNo.9\/1992 be applied for us, or at least we should be given a
\ndiscount as enjoyed by the big and medium-sized buses,\" said
\nManurung.<\/p>\n
According to the City Bylaw No. 3\/1999, big and medium-sized
\nbuses receive 25 percent discount for vehicle inspection fee,
\nwhich then requires them to pay a mere Rp 10,000.<\/p>\n
Operators of big and medium-sized buses also receive another
\n25 percent discount for terminal access fee. A big bus is charged
\nRp 49,500, while a medium-sized bus is charged Rp 24,750 after
\nthe discount.<\/p>\n
Under the old City Bylaw No. 9\/1992, all buses received a 50
\npercent discount for vehicle inspection fee and terminal access
\nfee.<\/p>\n
\"Although big and medium-sized buses occupy more space at the
\nterminal, small buses are paying a higher fees,\" said Manurung.<\/p>\n
Another representative, Asdi Wardi of Purimas Jaya, said the
\nregulation was discriminative.<\/p>\n
\"It's not fair. And the fines for delays in inspection is
\nkilling us,\" said Asdi Wardi<\/p>\n
Based on the City Bylaw No.3\/1999, the fines vary between Rp
\n20,000 and Rp 80,000, whereas the City Bylaw No.9\/1992 had set
\nthe fines at between Rp 4,850 and Rp 19,500.<\/p>\n
\"We also have to pay a 'friendship' fee to the bus terminal
\nofficials, which could be as high as Rp 175,000 for each bus,\"
\nsaid Asdi.<\/p>\n
Both Asdi and Manurung claimed that this problem had been
\nignored by the Jakarta Chapter of the Association of Land
\nTransportation Owners (Organda), the umbrella organization of the
\noperators.<\/p>\n
\"Organda has not assisted us on this matter. We have quit the
\nassociation last June,\" said Asdi.<\/p>\n
Separately, chairman of Organda Aip Sjarifuddin, told
\nreporters that the association had proposed in September that the
\ncity administration apply the vehicle inspection fee discount on
\nall public buses, including small buses.<\/p>\n
\"We also proposed higher discounts of up to 75 percent for
\npublic buses,\" said Aip, adding that the governor had yet to
\nrespond to the request.(07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/small-bus-operators-protest-fee-hike-1447893297",
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