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)