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)