Organda accepts 25% increase in bus fare with conditions

Organda accepts 25% increase in bus fare with conditions

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta chapter of the Association of Public
Land Transportation Owners (Organda) accepted on Friday a 25
percent bus fare increase declared on Tuesday by the House of
Representatives.

The association however, asked the government to cover all the
buses' operational costs and abolish all levies.

"We accept the 25 percent fare hike, although it is too hard
for us to cover our operational costs," Organda chairman Aip
Syaripuddin said at City Hall.

Minister of Communication Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar had earlier
asked the House to endorse his ministry's proposal of a 35
percent hike, while Organda had asked for a 50 percent increase.

In return for their acceptance of the 25 percent hike, Aip
said Organda members requested the government's commitment to
provide cheap spare parts and free administrative processing of
their vehicles' documents.

"We ask the Ministry of Communication to help us cover our
operational costs," Aip said.

"They will include tips for duty military and police personnel
at bus terminals."

He said the military and police personnel were not paid by
their respective offices and were a financial burden to the
terminal heads.

"The terminal heads asked the bus owners to help subsidize the
military and police personnel. In return, the owners increased
their bus fares.

"In the end, such practices will place the whole burden on the
passengers."

Aip also drew attention to the terminal attendants, who
requested money from every bus leaving the terminal.

"The amount depends on the bus route. It can go as high as Rp
50,000 (US$6.95) for long-distance buses," he said.

"We want the ministry to abolish these kinds of practices."

Interpretation

Aip said the 25 percent hike would be applicable for the
economy classes only.

"We will set a different fare hike for the executive classes
to subsidize the economy classes."

Head of the City Land Transportation Agency Buyung Atang,
however, said that Aip's interpretation of the fare hike was
incorrect.

"The 25 percent hike is indeed applicable to all classes. They
(Organda members) cannot impose higher fares," he said.

Both Aip and Buyung however, supported residents who chose to
use chartered buses instead of regular services.

"They will help reduce the terminals' burden if they use
chartered buses, as they don't have to start their trips from the
terminals," Buyung said.

"It will be more convenient and practical for city residents
to use the chartered buses," Aip added.

The City Land Transportation Agency has prepared 12 bus
terminals throughout the city as points of departure for city
residents planning to celebrate their Christmas, New Year and
post-fasting Idul Fitri holidays in their hometowns.

"The terminals are Tanjung Priok, Muara Angke and Tanah Merah
in North Jakarta; Kampung Rambutan, Pulo Gadung, Rawamangun and
Pinang Ranti in East Jakarta; Capt. Tendean and Lebak Bulus in
South Jakarta; Kali Deres and Rawa Buaya in West Jakarta; and
Kemayoran in Central Jakarta," Buyung said.

He said his agency would set up tents in the terminals to
enable passengers to rest while waiting for their buses.

"The number of buses will be sufficient, but perhaps there
will be traffic congestion on the highways, forcing a delay in
their arrival."

Buyung said there were 5,453 intercity buses available in the
city, of which 1,953 were from Jakarta and the other 3,500 from
other cities.

"There are also 406 city buses available, while state-owned
bus company DAMRI will provide 305 buses as reserves."

He said the Jakarta Military Command had also pledged to
provide 30 military trucks.

"The tariff is negotiable, as long as the passengers pay for
the fuel."

Buyung predicted that the peak Idul Fitri period would be on
Jan. 5, when some 152,000 residents were projected to depart from
Jakarta. It is estimated that 3,056 buses will be necessary for
the holiday crush.

"We predict that some 1 million residents will leave the city,
and some 1.1 million will arrive in the city," Buyung said. (05)