Bus fare hike in Yogyakarta

Bus fare hike in Yogyakarta

YOGYAKARTA: New bus fares were set by the local administration
on Wednesday and are due to take effect on Thursday, the head of
Yogyakarta's land transportation agency, Moenaji, said.

"The bus fare for students will be Rp 300, up from the
previous Rp 150, and the general fare will go up from Rp 500 to
Rp 600," he said.

The new policy is based on a gubernatorial decree.

Moenaji said the bus fare hike was unavoidable, adding that
the city's bus companies had been demanding a much higher fare
hike to cover their operational costs, which have soared during
the economic crisis.

Moenaji hoped people, particularly students and their parents,
understood and accepted the policy.

"Frankly, we should raise the fares higher than this," he
said, comparing the amount of the fare hike to the rise in the
operational costs for bus companies. (44/edt)