Government cuts fares for public transportation

JAKARTA (JP): The government has reduced land, sea and air transportation fares from today, following last week's reduction in fuel prices.

Communications Minister Giri Suseno finally agreed to cut public transport fares on Monday night, after a twelve hour hearing in the House of Representatives. Fares were raised on May 5 following a steep increase in fuel prices.

"The reduction was made as an adjustment to last week's cut in fuel prices," Giri said during the meeting with House Commission IV for public works, transportation, communications, and public housing.

Last week, Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto decided to cut back fuel price increases by 20 percent. The previous week he introduced fuel price increases of between 25 and 71 percent.

Kuntoro was pressed into making the cuts last Friday after massive riots rocked the city. The fuel price increases were thought to be a main cause of the disturbances.

Giri slashed land transport fares, returning many to their level prior to the May 5 increases.

Sea fares were also returned to the previous rate of Rp 133.44 (1 U.S. cent) per mile from Rp 200 per mile.

Airfares have been cut by 10 percent following a 37 percent price increase two weeks ago.

Basic flight rates were reduced to 5 U.S. cents per kilometer from 6 cents per kilometer.

The ministry also downwardly adjusted the exchange rate used to calculate fares from Rp 5,500 to Rp 5,000 per U.S. dollar.

The increase in ferry fares has been cut back by 40 percent.

Intercity bus fares in Java, Sumatra and Bali were cut to Rp 28 per kilometer from Rp 30 per kilometer.

The government also delayed the planned 100 percent increase in intercity train fares.

An increase in fares for trains operating in Greater Jakarta was also delayed for an unspecified time.

Minibus fares in the city were cut to Rp 500 from Rp 600. Before the last increase fares were Rp 400.

Regular bus fares were returned to Rp 300 from Rp 500, and students will continue to pay Rp 100.

Air-conditioned bus fares were reduced to Rp 2,300 from Rp 2,500.

Non-regular buses, known as Patas, can return to the old express bus tariff of Rp 700. The previous ministry decree reclassified Patas buses as a regular service.

The ministry also cut taxi fares on Monday.

The flag down cost of cabs has been cut to Rp 2,000 from Rp 2,500, while the waiting rate has dropped to Rp 9,000 from Rp 10,000 per hour.

Rates per kilometer have been lowered to Rp 900 from Rp 1,000. (das)