Drivers strike over confusion about new fares
Drivers strike over confusion about new fares
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of Angkot public minivan drivers went
on strike yesterday here and in Tangerang, apparently in
confusion over the new tariffs they are allowed to charge
following the government's decision to increase fuel prices by up
to 71 percent.
Some of those who refused to work were 40 minivan drivers
plying the Ciputat-Lebak Bulus route in South Jakarta.
"They claimed that due to the fuel price hike, the amount of
money they need to buy gasoline has soared while on the other
hand their funds are still very limited," an officer at Lebak
Bulus bus terminal said.
The owners of the vehicles refused to set aside more money to
buy gasoline, while the drivers reportedly were still confused
over the new tariffs as they were still waiting for fresh
guidelines from the city administration, the officer who asked
for anonymity said.
The two-hour strike, which started at about 6 a.m.,
inconvenienced dozens of passengers, especially students and
commuters, waiting at the Lebak Bulus terminal.
However police officers soon deployed buses to transport the
passengers from the terminal.
"The drivers just sat around the terminal. They started
operating again as soon as some of them came to an agreement with
the owners," the officer said.
More than 200 minivan drivers went on strike in Tangerang,
protesting the fuel price increases and changes to and
overlapping of routes.
Some drivers of R04 minivans plying Kedaung-Tangerang gathered
in Cipondoh at 10 a.m. With the help of police officers the
drivers went to the Tangerang Traffic and Land Transportation
Control Office (DLLAJ) to air their grievances.
The drivers demanded that the government allow them to
increase fares in line with the fuel price hike.
During the meeting DLLAJ head Daryanto allowed the drivers to
raise the fare from Rp 500 (6.25 U.S. cents) to Rp 750 on the
Kedaung-Pasar Anyar route, while the fare on Pasar Anyar-Sewan
route was raised from Rp 300 to Rp 500.
Daryanto said the increase was temporary until a decision is
issued by the West Java governor.
"If the governor decides on fare hikes lower than you expect,
you should not be disappointed," he said.
The drivers warmly welcomed the agreement, saying that they
were satisfied with it.
"But we decided not to take passengers today and let Becak
(pedicab) and ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers take the
passengers," said Sugeng, a representative of the drivers.
Drivers of R10 minivans playing Ciledug-Cikokol also went on
strike because of a change to their route and an overlap with B02
minivans.
But Daryanto said the overlap on the route was temporary,
caused by the construction of an underpass in the area.
Some drivers of different routes reportedly increased their
fares at random yesterday following the increase on fuel prices.
In Bogor minivan drivers increased fares by an average of Rp
200 yesterday, one day after the government announced the
increased fuel prices.
The chairman of the Bogor Land Transportation Owners
Association (Organda), A. Chotib, said he could understand the
drivers' decision.
"The step to increase fares was taken because of the increase
in fuel prices while awaiting an official decision from the Bogor
mayoralty," Chotib said.
He said the minivan owners wanted an increase of at least 100
percent because of several increases in the prices of spare
parts.
The drivers explained to the passengers that the increased
fares were caused by the fuel price hike before they asked them
to pay more.
Based on the government's announcement on Monday, premium
gasoline was increased from Rp 700 per liter to Rp 1,200.
(jun/edt/41/24)