Military will punish drivers raising fares

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)