'Angkot' van drivers on strike

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of Angkot public minivan drivers went on strike Tuesday, demanding that the government set new fares for them following the increase in fuel prices.

The drivers of minivans plying the Bogor-Citeureup route complained they often had to argue with passengers about the fare because of the absence of standardized fares.

The strike started at 6 a.m. and lasted until 12 a.m, stranding hundreds of passengers, mostly students.

Several police officers stopped passing trucks and asked their drivers to carry passengers.

Andi, one of the drivers, said the drivers expected the fare to be increased from Rp 800 to Rp 1,500.

He said the drivers had already increased the fare but many passengers refused to comply and would only pay between Rp 900 and Rp 1,000.

Some of drivers joined the strike because they were afraid of reprisals by their striking colleagues.

"I'm afraid that they would attack my van if I did not join them," Sudomo said.

The drivers also stopped other minivans and buses which passed their route, including buses plying Bogor-Depok, Bogor-Kampung Rambutan and Bogor-Pasar Minggu.

Officials of the local office of the Land Transportation Owners Organization (Organda) told the striking drivers the mayoralty's decision on the fare increase had been made on Friday but it had yet to be announced because of technical reasons.

Surachman said the fare would be increased to Rp 950 from the current Rp 650. (24/jun)