'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