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