Bus fares to double beginning next week

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration plans to raise bus fares by as much as 100 percent beginning next week following the approval of all related organizations, an official said on Thursday.

The fare for regular buses will be doubled from Rp 300 (four US cents) to Rp 600, the fare for non-air-conditioned express buses and limited (PATAS) buses will rise from Rp 700 to Rp 900 and the fare for minibuses will go up to Rp 700 from Rp 500.

Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budihardjo Sukmadi said the plan had been agreed upon following a series of four meetings with executives from the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI), the Association of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) and the city land transportation agency.

"The hikes were agreed to by all parties involved in deliberations on the fare increases. What is left now is to get the governor's permission," he said, hoping the new fares could be put into effect next week after Governor Sutiyoso issued a gubernatorial decree approving the fare hikes.

Budihardjo said fares for mikrolet (minivan) and air- conditioned PATAS buses had not yet been determined.

"We haven't finished calculating the fares for the mikrolet. We'll issue a regulation determining new mikrolet fares based on the distance traveled," he said.

Organda usually sets the fare for air-conditioned PATAS buses.

According to Budihardjo, the last meeting held to discuss the fare hikes took place between the city administration and the related organizations on July 5.

The planned fare hikes far fall below the increases proposed by Organda, which wanted the fare for regular buses set at Rp 900 and non-air-conditioned PATAS buses at Rp 1,668.

Reports of the planned fare hikes became headline news last month when the Ministry of Communications announced it planned to increase fares for regular buses to Rp 900, non-air-conditioned PATAS buses to Rp 1,350, minibuses to Rp 1,150 and mikrolet to Rp 1,350.

Budihardjo said Organda should accept the new fares, even though they were below its expectations.

"We couldn't follow their proposal because it was too high," he said.

YLKI

Contacted separately, YLKI vice chairman Agus Pambagio said the consumers organization had not agreed to the new fares.

"No, there hasn't been any agreement on the amount of the new fares, we're still calculating," Agus said.

He said the parties involved in discussions on the hikes were still calculating the fares in an attempt to minimize the people's burden, while still helping the transportation industry.

"We don't agree that the administration should increase fares without first solving the problems of public transportation," he said.

Agus said Organda members had convinced the administration it could improve its service if the fare of its regular buses was set at the "ideal" price of Rp 900 per passenger.

"Let's say we all agreed with Organda's proposal; we should find another way to help lift the people's burden, such as cutting illegal levies, which are rampant in the public transportation sector," he said.

The planned fare hike immediately sparked anger among many Jakartans, including bus drivers.

"This proposal is not in line with the interests of bus drivers, because a hike in bus fares also means a significant increase in the uang setoran (rental fees paid to bus owners) and illegal levies," drivers grouped in the Indonesian Transportation Worker's Union said in a statement.

Citra taxi driver Salamun agreed, saying the bus fare hike would force him to spend more money on transportation for his two children.

"My income will be used up just for my family's transportation costs," the Tangerang resident, whose daily income is between Rp 25,000 and Rp 50,000, said.

A number of bus drivers also expressed their anger over the plan.

"This is not the right time to raise fares, it's hard for everybody. If bus fares go up, and the prices of gas and goods go up... everybody's life will be harder," Manurung said.

Sumadji, another bus driver, said: "People are still facing hard times, so don't raise the fares until the General Assembly (of the People's Consultative Assembly)."

Yono, a mikrolet driver, said: "If the fares go up, then the hoodlums will ask for more money."

Wati and Dasril, regular bus passengers, expressed their objections to the plan.

"Our salaries are staying the same," Wati said.

However, Irvan, a mikrolet driver, said: "I'm glad the government wants to raise fares as long as the price of gas doesn't follow the same path.".(ind/04)