Aircon bus operators warned over fare hike

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso proposed on Friday to establish a city-owned company to operate air-conditioned buses in order to better serve the commuters.

The bus operator will be a subsidiary of PT Jakarta Propertindo, a city-owned company that manages the Jakarta Outer Ring Road. It is expected to be established soon, according to the governor, without elaborating.

Sutiyoso said that the administration chose PT Jakarta Propertindo to manage the city-owned bus operator due to its success in inviting a number of private investors to join the JORR project.

The new bus operator would complement the city-owned PPD, a company which operates regular buses.

He considered it important for the city administration to have its own AC bus operator, since some private bus operators always threatened to halt their services should problems occur.

The governor had earlier warned bus operators not to hike the fares for air-conditioned buses, pending the city administration's approval of the increase.

He also called upon the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), which is responsible for regulating bus operators, to take action against those who ignored the warning.

Some air-conditioned bus operators have reportedly raised their fares to between Rp 3,000 and Rp 3,200 from the previous Rp 2,500, even though the Jakarta government has yet to made a final decision on the size of the hike.

The governor said the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) had yet to formally propose the fare hike.

"People should refuse to pay more than the usual fare if bus operators continue to charge extra," Sutiyoso said.

However, he admitted that he would not cancel the licenses of delinquent bus operators.

Sutiyoso argued that if the administration canceled any licenses, there would be a shortage of public buses in the city, which in the end would prejudice commuters.

Meanwhile, the head of the DLLAJ, Rustam Effendy, denied that his office had failed to prosecute operators who had hiked fares prematurely.

"The DLLAJ often warns bus operators which break the rules, including raising fares without the administration's approval," he said.

Commuters have objected to the fare hike, which they consider too hefty, especially as the hike has not been accompanied by improvements in service. (04)