Hundreds of 'ojek' drivers stage rally

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