'I disagree with bus fare hike'

'I disagree with bus fare hike'

The city administration plans to raise bus fares in the near
future, after the city's Organization of Land Transportation
Owners (Organda) proposed a 50 percent hike due to what they
cited as the rising prices of fuel and spare parts. The Jakarta
Post talked to several city residents who regularly use public
transportation about the issue.

Alfonsa, 27, is an elementary school teacher in Pondok Gede,
Bekasi, West Java. She resides in Bekasi with her husband and
son:

I think it will be hard for me if the bus fares increase by up
to 50 percent.

I wonder what the bus fare increase is for. It would be
pointless if there is no improvement in the service at all.

Even if the fares are increased that much, the buses will
still be in a poor condition.

Financially speaking, it will be harder for me if the bus
fares are increased because now I have to spend around Rp 12,000
a day on bus fares.

The reason given for the increase that it would improve
maintenance is also somewhat illogical noting the fact that so
far they can still run their transportation business.

Does the bus fare hike proposal mean that the passengers will
feel safe and comfortable aboard? I don't think so.

I have even had pickpockets sit next to me and threaten me on
public buses. Luckily I decided to get off soon after I realized
what they were up to.

So, what is the use of passengers paying higher bus fares if
there is no guarantee of safety and comfort at all?

I hope there will not be an increase in bus fares during these
difficult times.

Aipi, 23, is an employee of a private company in Mangga Besar,
West Jakarta. She lives in Pademangan, North Jakarta with her
family:

What? The public bus fares will increase by up to fifty
percent? That's ridiculous.

I think it's totally unrealistic to propose such a hike during
the current economic slump. All urban residents are still
suffering from the unavoidable utility and fuel price hikes.

Worse still, their income has not yet increased. How will they
cover their daily transportation expenses?

I reckon that the bus fares are always raised because the
transportation company owners cannot cover their maintenance
budget.

But why are almost all city public transportation vehicles in
a dilapidated condition? So the fare increase does not mean an
improvement in the quality of public transportation.

Worse still, the bus owners have failed to curb the alarming
pollution produced by their buses.

I'm afraid that the proposal will only benefit Organda and the
transportation companies.

Nining, 26, is an employee of a non-governmental organization
in Cikini, Central Jakarta. She lives in Setiabudi, South
Jakarta:

I disagree with the plan to raise the bus fares here because
the service and condition of the buses are still way below the
public's expectations.

The condition of the buses is very poor. The service is no
better.

I'm sick of the behavior of the bus conductors. I have to run
to catch the bus.

Once a conductor of a speeding bus had to catch me by my hand
and hold me close to get me inside the bus and prevent me falling
out of the bus. In normal conditions, I would call that sexual
harassment. But, what should I say in such a situation?

I hate to see how the bus conductors overload their buses to
get more income. Almost all the public transportation drivers
here treat the passengers rudely.

It's not the right time to raise bus fares because the
people's income is stagnant. I'm afraid that if it is
implemented, it will provoke public anger which will worsen the
security situation here.

In addition, Organda's reasons are baseless as they have so
far failed to improve their services by providing better vehicles
for the public. Leo Wahyudi S