200 minivan drivers go on strike in Bogor

200 minivan drivers go on strike in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): About 200 drivers of No. 07A minivans, which serve
the Pasar Anyar-Salabenda route, went on strike yesterday to
protest a five-kilometer overlap with No. 32 minivans -- which
ply the Cibinong-Taman Pagelaran route.

The drivers gathered in front of Yogya Department Store on Jl.
Baru-Kemang before heading to the Bogor branch of the Indonesian
Land Transport Owners' Association (Organda), leaving hundreds of
passengers along their route stranded.

"Due to the overlap it is very difficult for us to get a daily
income of Rp 10,000 (US$2.85). By working hard for the whole day
we can just get between Rp 4,000 and Rp 6,000 per day," Babay,
42, one of the protesters, said.

Yesterday's strike was the second time the drivers have taken
action. The first time was five months ago, when No. 32 minivans
started operating.

The strike ended when the drivers of No. 32 minivans agreed to
stop picking up passengers in the overlapping area. They were
allowed to keep serving their route until an alternative road
project in the Taman Yasmin housing complex was completed.

Saragih, 31, another protester, said that even though the
alternative road had been completed, drivers of No. 32 minivans
did not want to stop plying the overlapping route.

And they disregarded the ban, continuing to pick up passengers
along the disputed route, he said.

"We insist that the authorities change the route of No. 32
minivans to the alternative road," Simon, the protesters'
spokesman, said.

Hartono, who drives a No. 32 minivan, said the Bogor Land
Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), which is in charge of issuing
route permits, had failed to make the necessary changeover when
the alternative road was completed.

"It's up to the agency whether it changes the route or not,"
he said. "We have no objection at all."

The chairman of Organda, A. Chotib, said: "We will report the
case to DLLAJ's Bogor chief. But if the protesters' demand is
turned down, there is nothing we can do."

Endang Tabroni, the head of DLLAJ's Bogor office, said that
his office would investigate the problems faced by local drivers.

"We will coordinate with the related agencies in the search
for a solution to the problem," he said.

Mrs. Ani, 28, who lives in Sukadamai village, Tanah Sareal
subdistrict, said the strike forced her to postpone her pregnancy
checkup at the community health center until next Monday.

Yesterday's strike was the fourth in Bogor this year. The
largest rally lasted for two days in June when drivers demanded
the DLLAJ stop issuing permits for new minivans in the city.
(24/hhr)