Governor braves threats, rules out bus fare hike

Governor braves threats, rules out bus fare hike

JAKARTA (JP): Despite repeated threats of a massive strike by
bus drivers, Governor Sutiyoso confirmed on Tuesday that the city
administration would not raise bus fares until city council
issued a new ruling on fare hikes.

He said the council, which ended its term last week, did not
endorse a fare hike proposal from the city administration.

"They sent the message to me by mistake," Sutiyoso said after
a meeting with leaders of the city's churches at City Hall.

"They should have addressed their demand to city council."

He said the former council recommended that city
administration give subsidies instead of increasing bus fares.

"We have, therefore, complied with council's recommendation,"
he said.

Sutiyoso dismissed media reports that he had given a
"deadline" for the bus fares to be increased after the General
Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"I never set a deadline. The problem is the council has not
yet agreed (on the matter). I would be scolded if I raised the
fares without council's approval," he said.

The governor said he had ordered the city's security
authorities to anticipate the drivers' planned strike next week.

Some 160 bus owners, drivers and conductors staged a rally in
front of city hall on Monday, demanding a raise in bus fares.

Arriving in 37 buses and minibuses from a number of bus
companies, including Metro Mini, Kopaja, Himpurna, Mayasari
Bhakti, ARH, Agung Bakti, Koantas Bima, Hiba and Pahala Kencana,
the protesters threatened to conduct a massive strike next week
if the governor failed to raise fares.

Councilor Abdul Aziz Matnur of the Justice Party (PK) said the
council would not discuss the proposal until it elected a council
speaker and his or her deputies, and established the city
representatives for the MPR. The election of council leaders will
be held on Sept. 14, and the establishment of the city
representatives on Sept. 20.

"We know it's urgent, but we have not even elected council
leaders and heads for the five commissions," said Aziz, 30, who
was elected along with the oldest councilor, Supangat, 68, of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to
temporarily lead the council until a permanent council speaker is
elected.

The Organization of Land Transportation Owners
(Organda), the City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) and the
Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI) established the
framework for the fare hikes last July.

Their proposal included an increase in regular bus fare from
Rp 300 to Rp 500, and an increase from Rp 700 to Rp 900 for non-
air-conditioned and limited buses (Patas).

The fare for minibuses were to be hiked to Rp 700 from Rp 500,
and the fares for air-conditioned PATAS buses were scheduled to
rise from Rp 2,300 to Rp 2,500. Also, the student fare for
regular buses was to be doubled from the current Rp 100. (jun)