Govt proposes new bus fare system for Idul Fitri

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Ministry of Transportation will set a ceiling price system for bus companies during the Idul Fitri exodus and influx period to control bus fares which have traditionally skyrocketed in past years due to extremely high demand.

"The ministry is proposing that the bus companies can only raise their prices a maximum of 25 percent. Bus companies will have to assess the condition of their buses before deciding on their new fares.

"This new system will enable passengers to have their own choice," spokesman of the ministry's land transportation directorate general, Barata told The Jakarta Post Thursday.

Barata, however, said the proposal had to be approved by the House of Representatives (DPR) before being put into effect.

"The House will determine which system is to be used and the amount of the increased rate as well," he said, adding that the ministry will send the proposal to the House soon.

Last year, the government and DPR agreed on a 12 percent hike although bus companies asked for at least an increase of 25 percent.

Idul Fitri falls on Dec. 6 and 7, the travel period is usually one week before and week afterward.

The ministry has also set Nov. 29 until Dec. 14 as the official Idul Fitri travel period wherein the fare ceiling will be effective. It expects the exodus peak to be from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 and on Dec. 4. Meanwhile, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 are expected to have the highest number of travelers returning.

It is the tradition of the Muslims throughout the country to have a family reunion in their home villages during the Idul Fitri holidays.

Last year, about 1.1 million Jakarta residents left the city during Idul Fitri.

The ministry is expecting that there will be an increase of 9 percent of residents who will travel during Idul Fitri nationwide from some 18.1 million passengers last year to about 19.8 million this year.

Meanwhile, Tulus Abadi of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) said the government should pick a better time to apply the new ceiling system.

"The Idul Fitri seasonal exodus is such a critical time to apply the system. Besides, the government has yet to publicize this new rate structure," he told the Post.

"The ceiling price system is just fine but it does not solve the real problems of transportation during Idul Fitri."

According to Tulus, travelers would have almost no bargaining power during the Idul Fitri period.

"Prices of daily goods have been skyrocketing and there are possibilities that bus fares will be raised during Idul Fitri period.

"The residents themselves do not enjoy the increase in their expenses," he added.

Tulus said the bus companies actually did not need such a rate increase or the ceiling price system as long as the government could ensure orderly travel.

"The transportation officials must work hard to provide smooth traffic during the exodus and influx period."

During the peak season, traffic jams often occur along the main roads connecting Jakarta and other big cities in Central and East Java due to the huge number of travelers.

Tulus also said YLKI would open its own posts to enable residents who want to file complaints about the transportation service during Idul Fitri.

Barata said all passengers could file their complaints over bus company service through a special form provided at all major bus terminals.