Cuts in bus and taxi fares accepted

JAKARTA (JP): The city chapter of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) announced Tuesday that it had accepted the central government's decision to lower public transportation fares following the cut in fuel prices.

The association's general secretary, Asrul Asis Taba, said his office was now waiting for Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso's response for the implementation of the revised tariffs.

"We expect the governor to sign a new decree on the implementation of the tariff revision as soon as possible," he said.

The government announced Monday the revision of the fares for public transportation vehicles, including those operating in Jakarta, such as taxis, regular buses, minibuses, non air- conditioned and air-conditioned limited passenger Patas buses.

Based on the revision, the taxi flag-fall will be lowered to Rp 2,000 from Rp 2,500, and each kilometer will accrue Rp 900 instead of Rp 1,000. Taxi waiting time will be Rp 9,000 per hour not Rp 10,000 per hour.

The fares for air-conditioned Patas buses will be lowered to Rp 2,300 per passenger from Rp 2,500 per passenger, while fares for Kopaja and Metromini minibuses will be lowered to Rp 500 from Rp 600.

The fares for regular and non-regular buses will be maintained at Rp 300 and Rp 700 per passenger respectively.

Asrul admitted, however, that his office's decision to accept the central government's policy was actually done halfheartedly.

"We were forced to accept it because it had been endorsed by the central government. This decision has a kind of political content with heavy emphasis on social values to help ease the current tension."

He said the fares for smaller buses like KWK minivans were not included in the government's fare revision policy because they were based on a loose agreement worked out between the bus drivers and their passengers.

The cuts will likely harm the bus companies because the latter will receive less money due to the fare cuts, he said.

"The condition will likely get worse due to the possible hike in the price of spare parts following last week's riots and burning at many stores, which also destroyed spare parts."

Asrul said the outlay on spare parts and maintenances was far greater than the cost of fuel.

Fuel accounts for between 12 percent and 17 percent of the total operational costs, he said.

"Yet, the government has always set the tariffs based on the fluctuation of fuel prices alone." (cst)