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)