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)