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)