Drivers' strike recedes, fares increase

Drivers' strike recedes, fares increase

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A mass strike by public minibus drivers receded in most parts
of the country on Tuesday, but commuters had to pay the price as
the drivers unilaterally increased the fares.

Albeit far smaller in magnitude, the strike continued in
Yogyakarta, the Central Java town of Batang and the West Java
town of Cirebon.

The West Java capital of Bandung, which was hit by the major
strike on Monday, returned to normal on Tuesday. Minibuses were
seen operating after the government unveiled the estimate of new
fares which would be increased some 30 percent.

The new fares took effect on Tuesday although the local
governments had not yet formalized them.

"We just let drivers increase the fares according to our
estimate. At least they are not arbitrarily jacking up the
prices," Bandung Mayor Aa Tarmana said.

In neighboring Bandung regency, the local administration
allowed only a 10 percent increase. The decision upset many
drivers who then chose to raise the fares by 20 percent or Rp 200
on average.

Cirebon woke up to a second strike in as many days with some
120 public transportation drivers, who normally ply the route
between Cirebon and Indramayu, participating. Hundreds of
passengers, mostly school children, were left stranded until the
local administration deployed trucks and buses to pick them up.

"We resorted to a strike to protest the government's policy
which did not heed the aspirations of poor people," said Gojali,
one the drivers.

Chairman of the Cirebon chapter of the land transportation
owners association Iskandar AB said the organization could not do
anything but allow the fare increases. "But on the other hand, we
understand that people had shouldered heavier burdens due to the
hike in prices of other commodities," he said.

West Java Governor R. Nuriana gave a green light on Monday
evening to regency and mayoralty administrations to raise the
transportation fares.

"We are studying all possibilities, including the demand to
increase bus fares, particularly for intercity buses," Nuriana
said.

He stressed the price hike was only natural following the
government's decision to increase the fuel price by an average of
14.5 percent last week. But he was quick to add that the new
fares would not take effect in the near future.

Separately, in Makassar, clashes between students from the
Indonesian Islamic University (UMI) who protested against the
fuel price hike and the Makassar Police on Monday, continued with
students blockading Jl. Urip Sumohardjo on Tuesday, by burning
tires along the road and holding up banners.

All passing vehicles were forced to turn back, which created a
large traffic jam.

"We demand that the government forget about this price hike
because it is intolerable that in these extremely rough times,
the government continues to increase fuel prices," a student
protester, Ridhwan, said. Other students were seen distributing
flyers which stated that UMI students rejected the fuel price
hikes.

On Monday, trouble in Makassar began when UMI students
protesting the fuel price hike clashed with the police. Five
students and two police officers were injured in the violence.

Hundreds of students on Tuesday were also seen checking
passengers in every passing vehicle, including private sedans.

"If there is a police officer seen in the vehicle, grab him,"
shouted one student emotionally.

In their speeches, students said they regretted the tough
action police took against students on Monday, which ended with
at least five students being injured.

"Clashes on Monday occurred because officers started the
shooting first... we were also shocked to see the police
provoking the general public to fight against us," UMI student
coordinator Nasir told protesters.

"Makassar Police chief Amin Saleh should be forced to resign
from his job over this."