Drivers on strike over ticketing

JAKARTA: Ninety-six drivers of KWK cooperative minivans at the Pulogadung terminal went on strike on Friday in protest over officials of the City Land Transportation Agency (DDLJR) giving them violation tickets for charging passengers more than the fares set by the government.

"Only the police have the right to give us violation tickets, not them," strike coordinator Toyang, 45, was quoted by Tempointeraktif as saying.

He said that minivan drivers were forced to charge Rp 3,500, compared to Rp 2,400 (about US$0.24) endorsed by the government, because they have to pay Rp 90,000 for fuel and another Rp 80,000 to rent the vans each day.

He said that the Rp 2,400 fare was inadequate to cover operational expenses.

"If fares stays at Rp 2,400, that will be difficult for us, because we already charged Rp 2,200 before the fuel increase," another minivan driver, Asnaeni, 32, said. -- JP