Discount spare parts offered

Discount spare parts offered

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Command in cooperation with the
Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) held
yesterday a market operation selling spare parts for 30 percent
less to owners of public transportation vehicles.

The two-day market operation at the Pulomas field in East
Jakarta also provided a free service for 900 minivans, which come
under the auspices of the city chapter of the Organization of
Land Transportation Owners (Organda).

The free services were provided by five authorized car
distributors for Suzuki, Isuzu, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi and Toyota,
a Gaikindo executive said.

Col. (ret) F. Soeseno, Gaikindo's secretary general, said the
market operation was held with the aim of reducing the burden on
minivan drivers, who have complained about the escalating prices
of spare parts.

"We hope the public transportation companies do not increase
their fares as they can obtain spare parts at discounted rates
and free services."

The public transportation companies proposed to Organda last
week that fares for city buses and minibuses increase between 70
percent and 150 percent to compensate for the prices of spare
parts, which have reportedly soared up to 300 percent due to the
monetary crisis.

Owners of Kopaja minibuses proposed last week to raise fares
from Rp 400 to Rp 1,000 per passenger, while Pahala Kencana, a
private operator of wide-bodied buses also asked permission to
hike the tariffs of its regular buses from Rp 300 to Rp 500 per
head. (09)