Councilors not united about higher bus fare

JAKARTA (JP): City councilors have voiced different opinions about the proposal endorsed by the Organization of Owners of City Land Transportation (Organda) to raise bus fares by up to 20 percent for night transportation.

The chairman of City Council's commission for development, Mansyur Achmad, said yesterday the proposal was not necessary because the purpose of the transportation system is to provide better services to people.

"The increase in night rates will become a burden to them. Besides the system has been in existence with unauthorized vehicles. The difference is that it is now run by the authorized one," Achmad said.

Muhammad Rodja, a member of the commission from the United Development Party (PPP), understood the proposal saying that it is rational for Organda to ask for higher night rates.

"I think it is reasonable because they have to provide drivers with additional benefits for the night shift to establish safe and secure transportation," Rodja said.

Organda chairman Aip Syarifudin proposed higher fares for night transportation because public buses operating during the night hours need special treatment to guarantee satisfaction for the drivers and passengers, as well as transit service officers.

If the public feels that the fares are too expensive, he said, the authorities can offer certain types of subsidies to cover the extra funds. (yns)