17 bus firms break the rules

JAKARTA (JP): Transport investigators found 19 buses from 17 companies illegally raised or cut fares during the Idul Fitri exodus.

A special team deployed by the City Land Transportation Control Agency discovered the violations by pretending to be passengers.

The agency's transportation control subdivision head Oriyanto Supardal, said investigators recorded the busses' plate numbers, the route, the time of the incident, the special Idul Fitri fare and the illegal fare.

"Bus companies are not allowed to raise or to cut the fares set by the government for Idul Fitri," Oriyanto said.

The official's report said two bus companies, Timbul Jaya Express and Sumber Alam, cut the government-set fares.

The 15 other companies illegally raised fares by up to Rp 13,500 (US$5.60). The companies were Kramatdjati, Mekar Jaya, Suka, Dedy Jaya, Bhinneka, Sinar Jaya, Bianglala, Ramayana, Jaka Kendil, Handoyo, Tasima S., Gumarang Jaya, Mulyo Indah, Limas Express and Setia Bhakti.

This week, six other bus companies, including state-owned transportation companies PPD and Damri, were found to have violated transport regulations during the Idul Fitri exodus. (ste)