Govt raises bus fares for annual exodus
Govt raises bus fares for annual exodus
Dadan Wijaksana
The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
As the Idul Fitri celebrations draw near, the government has
decided to increase intercity bus fares by between 4 percent and
6.6 percent.
Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa said that the new
fares would be effective for the peak of the annual exodus, which
lasts for eight days both before and after Idul Fitri, which this
year falls on Nov. 15.
"This is a normal increase during the holiday season due to
the increased demand for transportation. The price will return to
normal after the holiday season is over," Hatta said after
attending a coordinating meeting of economics ministers on
Tuesday.
The 4 percent increase refers to the floor price while the 6.6
percent rise refers to the maximum ceiling price.
With the decision, the ceiling price will now stand at Rp
81/kilometer per person compared to the previous price of Rp
76/kilometer per person, while the floor price will be Rp
54/kilometer per person compared to Rp 50/kilometer per person
previously.
A temporary increase is imposed every year to ensure that bus
companies do not take unreasonable advantage of the high demand
for their own ends. In theory, bus companies are allowed to
increase prices within a certain range, and may be punished if
they jack up prices above the ceiling price set up by the
government.
In reality, however, law enforcement is weak and bus crews
often illegally hike ticket prices.
The government has said it will increase surveillance and will
punish any companies that violate the ruling. "Should there be
violations, we have the power to issue warnings or impose
stronger disciplinary measures," the minister added.
Similar increases can also be applied in the case of ferry and
boat fares across the country during the peak of the holiday
season exodus -- once again eight days before and after Idul
Fitri.
People across the country usually return to their hometowns to
celebrate the holidays with their families and relatives, no
matter what the cost may be. The biggest exodus usually takes
place on Java, especially from the country's capital Jakarta to
other cities on the densely populated island.
This year, the government predicts that around 17,680,000
people will travel to their hometowns -- an increase of about 11
percent compared to last year's figure of 15 million people.
Hatta said that in order to facilitate the exodus, 30,569
intercity buses, with another 3,000 buses on standby, 218 trains,
92 ships and 13 speedboats would be available, which had the
capacity to transport a total of 29 million people.
The government has also asked the Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police to help ensure smooth traffic flows on busy
routes over the course of the holidays.