Fares hike limit ineffective

Fares hike limit ineffective

JAKARTA: Consumer protection organizations urged the
government to scrap the 12 percent limit on increases in
intercity bus fares during the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year
holidays.

They said in a joint statement that bus operators always
raised fares far higher than the maximum set by the government.

In reality, bus operators raise fares by up to 100 percent
above normal fares, although the government officially allowed
only 12 percent this year and 25 percent last year.

The Consumers Advocacy and Public Interest Research and
Advocacy Center (Pirac) said the government should scrap the
policy and make available more buses and other public transport
modes during the holidays.

Although members of the public have to pay much higher fares,
they suffer worse services as, for example, the buses carry more
passengers than the maximum allowed during the holiday season.

Millions of people travel to their hometowns every year to
celebrate Idul Fitri.--JP