Transportation owners seek reasonable fare hike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government's recent decision to raise fuel
\nprices by an average of 12 percent beginning in April has drawn
\nstrong criticism from public transportation owners who complain
\nof skyrocketing expenses.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Organization of
\nLand Transportation Owners (Organda), Aip Syarifuddin, said the
\nfuel hike would only create a burden for the owners.<\/p>\n
"We have to increase our employees' salaries, pay a higher
\nelectric bill and spend more on spare parts," he said at City
\nHall on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
"Even without the fuel price hike, it has been difficult for
\nus to cover all the expenses," he said.<\/p>\n
He questioned the government's fuel subsidy for public
\ntransportation owners.<\/p>\n
"This subsidy can lead to misuse, where private vehicles
\nowners can also use fuel coupons, which entitled the bearer to
\nreceive lower fuel prices. Or the owners can claim vehicles which
\nare not in service in order to receive more coupons," he said.<\/p>\n
Aip said he would meet on Friday with members of the House of
\nRepresentatives Commission VIII for environmental, science and
\ntechnology affairs to discuss the best system to use.<\/p>\n
He suggested a fare hike of Rp 1,500 (20 U.S. cents) for
\nregular buses from the current fare of Rp 300. "Even a fare of Rp
\n1,000 isn't enough to cover our expenses."<\/p>\n
He said he had proposed to the government that a soft loan, in
\nthe way of subsidies and tax reduction, be facilitated to the
\npublic transportation owners.<\/p>\n
He questioned the city administration for its failure to keep
\nits promise to provide cheap spare parts.<\/p>\n
"Alhamdulillah (Praise the Lord), not yet," he said.<\/p>\n
Separately interviewed, Governor Sutiyoso said the city
\nadministration would have more money to spend on public
\ntransportation if an idea to issue decals was approved to replace
\nthe three-in-one policy in restricted zones.<\/p>\n
"The money collected from decals could be spent to subsidize
\ntransportation owners or to buy new buses," he told reporters at
\nCity Hall.<\/p>\n
"I acknowledge that the current condition of our public
\ntransportation is very bad. Look at those buses of state-owned
\nPPD," he said. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/transportation-owners-seek-reasonable-fare-hike-1447893297",
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