Bus fares may rise by up to 40%

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The city administration has proposed an average increase of 40 percent for public transportation fares, as a result of the impact of the Oct. 1 fuel price hike by an average of 126.6 percent.

"The increase has been calculated in consultation with the City Transportation Council (DTK)," Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday, adding that the proposal has been submitted to the City Council.

According to Sutiyoso, his administration had taken into account various factors in the proposal, including the increase in the operational cost of public transportation and the price of automotive spare parts.

The proposal will cover air-conditioned buses, limited seat buses (Patas), large size regular buses, medium-sized buses and public minivans.

The current fares are Rp 3,300 (38 US cents) for air- conditioned buses, Rp 1,600 for Patas buses, Rp 1,300 for regular buses, Rp 1,400 medium buses and Rp 1,900 for public minivans.

Previously, the Organization of Land Transportation Owners in Jakarta (Organda DKI) proposed Rp 4,800 for air-conditioned buses, Rp 3,400 for Patas and regular buses, Rp 2,500 for medium buses and Rp 2,650 for public minivans.

City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya revealed on Monday that the increase would range from 38 percent to 45 percent for each transportation mode.

Without mentioning a specific figure, Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo added that fares for air-conditioned buses would be the highest increase.

He also said that the city would impose the same fare for both large regular buses and Patas.

Ritola said that the TransJakarta Busway Management and the administration were currently formulating new fares for the existing Busway, which runs from Blok M in South Jakarta to Kota in West Jakarta.