Minivan fares up in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): The Bogor mayoralty has decided to increase public minivan fares by at least 50 percent, from Rp 300 to between Rp 450 and Rp 500, an official said over the weekend.

The mayoralty's spokesman Hari Harsono said that the decision to raise the fares was made following the government's increase in fuel prices by up to 71 percent early last week.

Hari hoped the action would end confusion among both the drivers and passengers after the fuel price hikes.

Earlier on Friday, more than 400 minivan drivers plying the Merdeka-Parung route went on strike, demanding the Bogor regency increase the fares.

The drivers parked their vehicles along the streets and at Parung terminal, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

Driver Abdul Halim said his colleagues hoped the fares would be increased to from Rp 800 to Rp 1,200. (24/jun)