Fare hike plans rejected

Fare hike plans rejected

JAKARTA (JP): The city branch of the Association of Public
Transport Owners has rejected proposals to raise the fare of mini
buses, its chairman said over the weekend.

Aip Syariffudin said the fare, recently raised from Rp 350 to
Rp 400, is still considered appropriate. The owners of Kopaja and
Metromini buses recently requested a Rp 100 fare hike.

"There will be no more fare hikes this year for all types of
buses," Aip said recently, adding that fare hikes could lead to
public resentment after the nationwide hikes in May.

The head of the Kopaja cooperative, Soenarto, had requested
the increase because he guaranteed the buses could then render
better services.

Kopaja and PT Metromini have recently secured credits from the
city-owned Bank DKI to improve buses and buy new ones. Improved
services would make it reasonable to raise fares, Soenarto said.
(anr)