'Fare hike will cause spats with passengers'

'Fare hike will cause spats with passengers'

The public transportation drivers complain about the difficult
life as they are greatly affected by the fuel price hike. Some of
them shared their feelings with The Jakarta Post.

Iwan, 38, a public medium size bus driver plying Blok M, South
Jakarta, and Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife
and two children in Parung, West Java:

My income drops from Rp 50,000 to Rp 30,000 because of the
fuel price hike. I should spend some Rp 25,000 more to buy diesel
oil so that in total now I should spend about Rp 120,000 a day
for the fuel to serve eight return routes at the maximum.

We have to pay the daily rent fee for Rp 250,000. My boss does
not care about the hardship here. If I complained, he would say
'take or leave it'. That's all.

Personally, I disagree if the bus fare would be hiked later
because it would only spark conflicts between the bus crews and
passengers. And, if it is increased, the daily rent fee will
likely to be increased, too.

I'm in difficult situation now. I have no choice whether to
continue working or leaving the job. But I remember my children
are waiting for me at home.

I wonder what is in the government's mind. The poor is always
neglected and victimized.

Yanto, 21, a public minivan driver plying Muara Angke, North
Jakarta, and Grogol, West Jakarta. He resides in Muara Karang,
North Jakarta with his wife and son:

It is getting tougher to get more passengers amid the
competitive situation.

The Rp 120,000 daily rent fee of the minivan really makes me
headache. I used to earn more or less Rp 100,000 a day, but my
now it drops to Rp 50,000 within 10 return routes in total.

I don't dare to increase the fare from the current Rp 1,500
because I'm afraid to have a dispute with the passengers. Worse,
many passengers still who do not pay the current fare.

I cannot imagine if my boss would also increase the daily rent
fee. Perhaps I would quit but I don't know what to work later.

Tohir, 37, a driver of the three wheeled vehicle (bemo) plying
Duta Mas and Grogol in West Jakarta. He is resident of Jelambar,
West Jakarta:

My daily income drops from Rp 40,000 to Rp 20,000 at average.
Fortunately, the daily rent fee remains stable, that is Rp
33,000.

On the other hand, I don't have the gut to ask for more than
Rp 1,000 to my passengers. I'm afraid they would not ride my bemo
if I increase the fare.

In this case, I prefer president Soeharto as people found a
relatively easy living despite the rampant corruption. So, it's
better President Megawati to step down as she is just incompetent
to handle the poor people in the country.

But, I think my wish is just useless. So it's better for me to
work hard to save more money for my wife and three children at my
village in Central Java. I used to bring home some Rp 500,000 a
month but now I don't dare to make the expectation.

Toni, 22, a taxi driver who has been working for more than a
year. He resides in Pondok Betung, South Jakarta with his
parents:

I think I get less passengers following the government
announcement of the prices hike. I myself feel that the fuel
price hike has burdened me as a taxi driver.

Usually I could bring home some Rp 50,000 a day after I paid
the daily rent fee for Rp 120,000 and Rp 62,000 for the gasoline.

But now, if I'm lucky I could bring some Rp 30,000 because I
have to pay more for the fuel, which now reaches almost Rp 80,000
a day.

It's also impossible for me to raise the taxi fare. The only
way is to take every passenger despite the short distance.

-- Leo Wahyudi S