Drivers to sue transportation body

JAKARTA (JP): The drivers and owners of six public transport minivans whose licenses to ply the Salemba-Rawamangun route were withdrawn only two weeks after they were first issued have said they plan to sue the city's Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJR) over the matter.

Paulus R. Mahulete from the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, who is representing the aggrieved parties, said the agency revoked his clients' permits two weeks ago following a protest staged by established drivers on the same route who were angered by the newcomers presence.

"We've often tried to discuss the matter with the agency but we've been met with an unsatisfactory response," the lawyer said.

He said the agency issued permits for 57 minivans to serve the route in 1996. The minivans were brought into operation to replace bemo (three-wheeled minivans).

Paulus said the established drivers had refused to accept the six additional minivans because they believed their presence had caused a substantial drop in their daily earnings throughout the first two weeks the new vehicles were operating.

But Paulus said the protesters' claims were groundless, adding that his clients had met their daily vehicle rental fees of Rp 60,000 without any problem over the same period. Drivers must pay a daily rental fee to the vehicles' owners and keep any additional money that they make.

The lawyer also said that the number of minivans serving the Salemba-Rawamangun route should equate with the number of bemo taken off the route in 1996, which was 92.

Last Thursday, a delegation of 10 established drivers went to Paulus' office to demand he stop his efforts to defend the newcomers' interests.

Tampubolon, a spokesman claiming to represent the 57 protesting drivers, said the agency had issued a decree stating that the route was reserved exclusively for the existing 57 minivans.

The protesters also asked Paulus not to sue the agency, a request which the lawyer declined to meet.

"They were sent by the agency to try to make us drop our plan," the lawyer said.

Paulus and the established drivers are scheduled to meet again some time next week, he said. (jun)