Bogor back to normal after strike

BOGOR (JP): Bogor was back to normal yesterday after a four- day strike of all 13 routes that began June 17, while drivers were waiting for authorities' to curb the addition of new vehicles as was promised.

Drivers, who said it was difficult to take home Rp 5,000 a day, were paying the usual levies again.

Besides complaining about too many vehicles, drivers had protested having to pay a Rp 100 fee for each return trip they made.

They had suggested officials charge them only from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., but mayoralty assistant M. Hatta Ediyana said there was nothing that could be done because the fee was based on a 1994 regulation.

"The fee is used to improve public services," Hatta said last Thursday.

Drivers can choose to park in one place, called 'illegal terminals', or take passengers without parking. By parking under 'No Stop' signs, which makes traffic congestion worse, they are assured of having full vehicles, but must pay levies of up to Rp 5,400.

For a route between Sukasari and Merdeka, a driver, Nasim (not his real name), said the Rp 5,400 involves the following: Rp 800 for "route money", Rp 2,200 for police, and Rp 300 for the person who helps him cajole passengers to his vehicle, for each stop at the Muria intersection.

Nasim said this does not mean all is well.

Sometimes other police officers get angry because they are not paid. "They ask more from us and get angry if we don't pay, and then drive us away from parking places," Nasim said.

Police who ticket drivers will let them go if they pay "more than Rp 2,000", he said.

At the Sukasari market area, drivers pay Rp 500 for parking, Rp 300 for security, Rp 400 for helpers cajoling passengers and Rp 200 for route money.

A driver, Sodik (not his real name), said he heard parking fees go to the local military command and security fees were for local hoodlums.

Behind Sukasari Plaza drivers said security fees of Rp 700 a day are paid to three local mobile police officers.

"The fees are supposed to make sure officers take care of our vehicles if there are any disturbances. But often they don't do anything," another driver said. (24/anr)