Military will punish drivers raising fares

JAKARTA (JP): The City Military Command will take stern action against taxi and public bus drivers who increase their fares arbitrarily, Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto says.

Wiranto told reporters yesterday that the City Military Command was ready to take tough action against bus crews and taxi drivers who create unrest among the people. "Unlawful increases in public transport fares could cause social unrest. We will not condone the practice," he said.

Wiranto guaranteed that the military would deal with the problem properly. "Try to write down the names of the drivers and vehicle plate numbers and give the record to the nearest military office."

However, he did not say whether he had instructed subordinates to punish unethical drivers.

As far as the government does not increase transport fares, Wiranto said, public transport crews and owners must not increase them arbitrarily.

"I demand that transit vehicle owners and crew do their jobs properly," the general said.

He also stated that the City Military Command had anticipated any possibility in connection with the illegal increase of transport fares.

In a related development, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said that his office will punish public transit vehicle owners who raise the fares illegally.

The governor told reporters yesterday that he has ordered the City Land Transportation Agency to check the case thoroughly.

"I ordered the investigation because I will not do something based on rumors. And if the agency finds that the public transportation operators have increased the fares I will punish them," Surjadi said, refusing to mention the punishment violators would face.

Several taxi drivers and public bus crews have recently increased fares despite the government turning down the increasing fares proposed by the Land Transport Owners Association (Organda).

Organda proposed that transportation fares be increased by an average of 130 percent.

The proposal received harsh reaction from the consumers foundation, city council and the public. The minister of transportation then announced the proposal was rejected and assured that there would be no increase in transportation fees this year.

However, several bus crews have increased their fees by between Rp 100 and Rp 200, while many taxi drivers are reluctant to use their meters and some of them have changed the flag fall from Rp 900 to Rp 1,500.

Suryadi said he wanted the agency to record the names of the companies and drivers.

He also said that the Ministry of Transportation is still reviewing Organda's proposal to increase the fares and the city administration is making several suggestions.

Surjadi refused to reveal the suggestions, saying that it would be unethical to mention them because they relate to government policy.

"The review is aimed at meeting the interest of Organda's demands as well as protecting public interest," he said, adding that the fares will accommodate the interests of both parties. (29/yns)