Bus commuters say crews' attitude needs overhaul

JAKARTA (JP): Commuters complained on Monday that bus terminal operators in the capital should improve the attitude of errant officials instead of spending heavily on renovations of their facilities.

They were asked to comment on their main hopes for changes in services at the inter-city bus terminals with the approach of next month's peak season of the fasting month of Ramadhan, Christmas, New Year's Eve and the post-fasting month celebration of Idul Fitri in January.

They said the main problem faced by the seasonal travelers was the deceitful behavior of the terminal officials and bus crews, who always attempted to cheat passengers by hiking fares.

The city's Land Transportation Agency last week announced its plan to spend some Rp 2 billion (US$281,700) for the renovation of six bus terminals in anticipation of the peak season.

"Instead of renovating the facilities, changing the bad attitude of the terminal officials and bus crews would be more worthwhile," said passenger Dedi Sutarjo at Pulogadung Bus Terminal in East Jakarta.

Dedi said dishonest officials have for years illegally hiked ticket fares for their own benefit and forced people onto buses when the vehicles were already overloaded.

Another passenger, Florentine, agreed with him, saying she had yet to see a change in the behavior and attitude of officials and bus crews.

"The administration should change their way of thinking, that somehow renovating the terminals would solve the problems," she said.

Earmarked for renovation are Senen Bus Terminal in Central Jakarta; Rawamangun, Pulogadung and Kampung Rambutan in East Jakarta; Kalideres in West Jakarta; and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.

Renovation work was already under way on Monday in the compound and ticket booths of the Senen and Pulogadung bus terminals.

When asked to comment on the passengers' complaints, head of the Pulogadung terminal, Bambang Permadi, said that passengers were also partly responsible for the irregularities.

"Passengers are sometimes reluctant to obey the rules on public order. For instance, they stop the buses outside the terminal and refuse to follow the officials' instruction," he said. (ind)