Hundreds of 'ojek' drivers stage rally

TANGERANG: Hundreds of motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers blocked Jl. Rawa Bokor near the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday as part of their rally to protest PT Angkasa Pura's decision to ban them from entering the airport.

During the rally, they blocked the road that links the airport with Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta with their motorcycles, causing heavy congestion on both sides of the road for almost three hours.

"We don't understand why ojek are banned from entering the airport terminal, while many airport employees and other people use our services every day," Suban, one of ojek drivers, told The Jakarta Post.

He said that he and other drivers earned Rp 30,000 (US$3.5) daily from taking people into and out of the airport terminals.

"Now, we are not allowed to enter the airport terminals. It means that we will have no income. We do not really understand why," he added.

Starting on Wednesday, airport operator PT Angkasa also closed the M1 Gate to the public, an alternative access road from the airport to Tangerang municipality. As a result all vehicles heading to the airport from Jl. Daan Mogot must pass by Jl. Rawa Bokor.--JP