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)