Bus operators get discount on vehicle inspection fees

Bus operators get discount on vehicle inspection fees

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration bowed to small bus
operators' demands for a 75 percent discount on vehicle
inspection fees following a rally staged by up to 1,000 bus
drivers at City Hall on Thursday.

The approval was given after two hours of negotiations with
representatives of the small bus operators grouped in the Wahana
Kalpika Cooperative (KWK).

Following the talks, Head of the City Land Transportation
Agency (DLLAJ) Buyung Atang told reporters that each small bus
will be charged only Rp 10,000 (US$1.1) for the mandatory six-
monthly vehicle inspection, down from the widely protested Rp
40,000, which took effect last November.

Buyung said some 300 public vehicles under KWK management
which had been ticketed for failing to undergo the compulsory
inspection would be allowed to operate. He also promised that no
more vehicle inspection campaigns would be conducted until the
new ruling was issued.

"The new gubernatorial decree (on the discount) will be
released within a week," Buyung said.

He said the discount would also apply to terminal access fees,
operational license contributions and business permit
contributions.

Contacted separately, Amarullah Asbah, who chairs the City
Council's Commission C for financial affairs, said the
legislative body approved the discount.

"We supported the drivers' demand, given the expensive
operational costs resulting from an increase in vehicle spare
parts and fuel prices," said Amarullah.

The council's support was stated in a letter signed by its
speaker Edi Waluyo.

The protesting drivers, who work for eight small bus
operators, began to gather in front of City Hall on Jl. Medan
Merdeka Selatan at around 8:45 a.m. on Thursday. Traffic
congestion was caused after they parked their vehicles along the
thoroughfare.

Amid waving banners and posters, the drivers delivered a
public speech.

"It's unfair! We have to spend a total of Rp 190,000 instead
of the previous Rp 119,000 for vehicle inspection and terminal
access fees, which include illegal levies," one of the drivers,
Purba, yelled.

Another 12,000 drivers of small buses halted their operations
across the capital, leaving thousands of passengers stranded
until noon.

The City Bylaw No. 3/1999 stipulates that large and medium-
sized buses receive 25 percent discount on the vehicle inspection
fee, resulting in a net fee of Rp 10,000.

Operators of large and medium-sized buses also receive another
25 percent discount on terminal access fees. A large bus is
charged Rp 49,500, while a medium-sized bus is charged Rp 24,750
after the discount.

Instead of providing a discount, the bylaw rules that small-
sized buses should pay Rp 79,200 for terminal access, Rp 40,000
for vehicle inspections and another Rp 9,000 for parking and
medical supplies.

Failure to comply with the ruling carries fines varying
between Rp 20,000 and Rp 80,000, up from between Rp 4,850 and Rp
19,500 stipulated in the old bylaw passed in 1992.

There are 5,164 small buses registered under the management of
KWK, owned by 3,311 individuals across the capital. On average 20
of them are checked every day. (04/07)