Drivers along Kali Mati continue dispute

Drivers along Kali Mati continue dispute

JAKARTA (JP): Drivers of the M-39 minivans plying the Kota-
Pademangan-Senen route went on strike on Sunday, asking the
authorities to ban becaks (pedicabs) from the route to prevent
further clashes, an official said.

Karta, an official at the Senen bus terminal in Central
Jakarta, said on Sunday that the strike forced many passengers to
take alternative forms of public transportation.

"None of the minivan drivers have entered the terminal since
the morning," he said.

Karta also said that he had no idea if the drivers would
continue their strike on Monday.

Dozens of the drivers were involved in severe clashes with
pedicab drivers on Friday and Saturday, leaving at least two
minivans damaged after they were attacked by angry pedicab
drivers on Jl. Kali Mati on the border of Central and North
Jakarta.

The windows of the two minivans were shattered and one of the
vehicles was reportedly overturned by the pedicab drivers who
demanded that the minivan drivers not ply the route after 7 p.m.
in order to allow pedicab drivers to earn money.

No fatalities were reported as drivers of both of the minivans
fled the scene of the attack.

"The minivans were also empty of passengers when we attacked
them," Untung, one of the pedicab drivers, stated.

The cost of a minivan for a passenger is Rp 450, while a
pedicab costs at least Rp 1,000 to travel to the same
destination.

"The minivans begin operating at 4 a.m. They should understand
that we also want to earn money. We asked the minivan drivers not
to operate after 7 p.m.," Untung said.

The dispute ignited on Friday evening when pedicab driver
Surba was hit by a minivan while trying to stop the vehicle and
press the pedicab drivers' demands to the minivan driver.

Surba was severely injured and rushed to nearby Husada
Hospital.

However, many of his fellow pedicab drivers believed that he
had died and began to pelt stones at any M-39 minivans which
drove down Jl. Kali Mati. (emf)