Jakarta Organda seeks bus fare increase
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) revealed on Monday that they had agreed to propose an increase in public bus fares in the capital by an average of Rp 600 (6 US cents) starting on May 18.
"In today's meeting, we (Organda) reached an agreement to raise bus fares," Putu Wirta Antara, deputy chairman of Organda told The Jakarta Post over the phone.
According to Putu, the fares would be raised by Rp 600. Fares for regular buses will be set at Rp 1,200, from the current Rp 700. Fares of medium-sized and small-seater buses, which are Rp 900 currently, will be increased to Rp 1,500.
Students are also required to pay Rp 500 under the new rate as compared to the current Rp 300 fare for big and medium-sized buses.
Putu, who is also chairman of Jakarta Transportation Cooperative (Kopaja), said that the fare hike was unavoidable as the fuel price increase had resulted in higher prices of tires and auto parts.
"The maintenance costs have become too burdensome for us to stay profitable, while the government continues to increase fuel prices," Putu said, referring to the government's latest decision to raise fuel prices again by 14 percent from the levels in April.
The proposal will be submitted to the city administration, which has the authority to regulate the new fares. But before imposing the new rates the administration must first consult the City Council.
The last fare increase was in July last year with an increase of between 28 percent and 50 percent.
Meanwhile, several public transportation vehicle drivers interviewed by The Jakarta Post on Monday received the plan coolly. They said that there were still many passengers unwilling to pay the previous increase as they were burdened with the price increases of other goods.
"Many passengers still refuse to pay the current fare of Rp 700. Instead, they insist on paying only Rp 500," said Pulungan, a driver of a public bus which serves the Kampung Melayu- Manggarai route.