Minibus drivers go on strike

Minibus drivers go on strike

JAKARTA (JP): Tens of driver of minibus plying the route of
Bekasi bus terminal-Rawalumbu area in Greater Jakarta went on a
strike yesterday to protest the operation of new minibuses with
no proper licenses.

The new buses started the operation on Thursday morning and
the protesters believed that operation was backed by influential
officials.

They said that the presence of the new buses will decrease
their daily earning since the distance between the terminal and
Rawalumbu only four kilometers.

The drivers said that originally only 47 minibuses plying
Bekasi terminal-Rawalumbu.

They said the operation of the new buses made the competition
tougher among them.

The strike left thousands of people, mostly students hang
around in the terminals all day.

The Bekasi Township Council Speaker, H. Abdul Manan, said that
he will accommodate the drivers' complaint and will contact the
township military command to reprimand the people who backed the
operation of the minibuses.(12/mas)