Organda makes another attempt

Organda makes another attempt

JAKARTA (JP): Organda, the organization of land transportation owners, repeated its demand for increased bus fares yesterday, saying its members could go out of business if the current fares are maintained.

The head of Organda's Jakarta branch, Aip Sjarifuddin, said that some of its members operating Kopaja and Metro Mini buses are only charging Rp 300 per person.

"It is impossible to make profit with the current fares," Aip said after a hearing with the City Council.

Aip also questioned the current fare scheduling, which is only supposed to cover two types of fares: non-economy and economy.

Now, however, there are five different fares in the city: Rp 550 for non-air-conditioned Patas (express) buses, Rp 1300 for air-conditioned Patas buses, Rp 300 for minibuses, Rp 250 for regular buses and Rp 100 for students.

"We think that two types would be better. The economy fare, to be determined by the government, and a non-economy fare decided by private bus companies," he said.

Aip added that private companies should only be given permits to operate non-economy buses.

Organda has recently proposed that the fares on regular buses be increased from Rp 250 (11 U.S. cents) to Rp 500, Patas buses (quick, limited service) from Rp 550 to Rp 900 and air- conditioned buses from Rp 1,300 to Rp 1,750. Organda has also suggested that the taxi flag fall be raised from Rp 900 to Rp 1,500. The government has turned down the proposal. (yns/09)