North Sumatra Governor Ready to Bridge Online Drivers' Aspirations to Parliament

Medan (ANTARA) - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution stated that the provincial government is ready to bridge the aspirations of online motorcycle taxi drivers to members of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the North Sumatra electoral district. “We will follow up on these demands, including conveying them to the DPR RI members from the North Sumatra electoral district,” Bobby said after receiving the Solidaritas Ojol Bersatu (Sobat) group at the Governor’s Office on Thursday. He explained that the government has issued Presidential Regulation Number 27 of 2026 concerning the Protection of Online Transport Workers, which aims to improve the protection and welfare of online motorcycle taxi drivers. One of the provisions in the regulation is limiting the application fee deduction by app operators to a maximum of eight percent, down from the previous 20 percent. According to Bobby, this policy is the result of the government’s consideration of the various aspirations and needs of online motorcycle taxi drivers. He understands the drivers’ demand for the regulation to be elevated into a law, but noted that the legislative process requires more time and longer stages. “We are also ready to facilitate a meeting for these drivers to convey their aspirations directly to the DPR RI members from the North Sumatra electoral district, and we will also voice them to the central government,” Bobby explained. In addition, the North Sumatra Provincial Government has prepared a Free Healthcare Programme that allows the public, including online motorcycle taxi drivers, to obtain health services simply by using their Identity Card. Through this programme, tens of thousands of online motorcycle taxi drivers in North Sumatra can access health services at facilities that cooperate with BPJS Kesehatan. Chairman of Solidaritas Ojol Bersatu, Timbul Siahaan, expressed appreciation for the North Sumatra Provincial Government’s attention to the welfare of online motorcycle taxi drivers. “Our national demands are an increase in passenger service tariffs, goods and food delivery service tariffs, net tariffs, and the establishment of an Online Transport Law,” he said. Additionally, the group is requesting exemption from parking fees for goods and food delivery services in urban areas. Timbul also noted that online motorcycle taxi drivers are now receiving additional benefits in the form of work accident insurance from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.