Organda proposes new fares for taxis and AC buses

JAKARTA (JP): The city branch of the Association of Public Transportation Owners (Organda) has presented a proposal to Governor Sutiyoso on new fares for taxis and air-conditioned buses in a move to end mounting confusion.

Organda chairman Aip Sjarifuddin declined to detail the proposal after discussing it with officials from the administration and the City Land Transportation Agency.

"The governor is expected to announce the new fares on Friday," said Aip.

"Until the governor announces the new tariffs, no operators or drivers of taxis and Patas AC (air-conditioned buses) are allowed to raise their fares," he stressed.

The current fares for taxis are Rp 1,500 (18 U.S. cents) for the flag fall and Rp 55 for each subsequent 100 meters. The current Patas AC fare is Rp 1,800.

A reliable source who attended yesterday's meeting told reporters that Organda officials had proposed an increase of "at least 50 percent" from current fares.

The proposed flag fall for taxis is Rp 2,500 and around Rp 80 per further 100 meters, while the fare for Patas AC is to be set at Rp 2,500, said the source who asked for anonymity.

The absence of official fares has sparked confusion among Patas AC and taxi drivers since fuel prices were increased from Tuesday. Many public buses have set their own new fares, prompting protests from the public.

According to the source, Organda and operators of Mikrolet and KWK minivans would also discuss new tariffs for their transportation.

He said that the fares would likely be increased by an average of around Rp 200.

Many Mikrolet and KWK drivers increased their fares by between Rp 200 and Rp 300 on Monday without authorization.

The head of Golkar's city chapter, Tadjus Sobirin, insisted that Sutiyoso should announce the new tariffs for all categories of buses as soon as possible.

The absence of official fare levels, he said, had tempted irresponsible drivers to set their own tariffs.

"Don't be too late or more people will fall victim to the irresponsible drivers," said Tadjus.

Protest

The head the Jakarta Public Transportations Cooperatives (Kopaja), CH Soenarto, protested yesterday that the government- set fare for his fleet was "far too low."

The government has set new tariffs for Kopaja, Metromini and other minibuses at Rp 600, a 50 percent hike from the old fare of Rp 400.

"The new tariffs still cannot save us from possible bankruptcy. They are well below our expectation," he said.

He said that the tariff for minibuses should ideally be set at no less than Rp 1,000 so that operators can catch up with the soaring prices of fuels and spare parts.

The prices of parts have increased 400 percent over the last two months due to the worsening economic crisis. The prices of premium gasoline and automotive diesel have increased by 71 percent and 57 percent respectively.

Soenarto said the government had never listened to the minibus operators' demands for higher fares.

"In 1996, we asked the government to raise the fare to Rp 800. But they raised it to only Rp 400 in May (last year)," he said.

"If the fare is not raised (again to at least Rp 1,000), we're afraid that we can no longer serve our customers by the end of this month as most of us will be bankrupt," said Soenarto.

In April, he said that only around 900 Kopaja buses out of the fleet of 1,500 were still on the road, serving 36 routes. The remaining 600 vehicles had stopped operating because the operators could not afford the operational and maintenance costs.

Higher and more reasonable fares would hopefully help bus drivers and operators cover their expenses, including illegal levies, he said.

"Do you know that each of our drivers must spare around Rp 10,000 a day for ... police officers and land transportation officials on the streets and at terminals," Soenarto added.

He also demanded the government reconsider its policy to maintain the Rp 100 bus fare for students.

"This is unreasonable. Students should pay around Rp 300. The current fare was set more than five years ago," he said.

Soenarto's plea found support from Tadjus, who asked the city government to increase the student fare to help bus companies survive the crisis.

"If the student fare is kept at Rp 100, I'm afraid the transportation business will soon collapse. I know that it is a dilemma, but the government should listen to the bus companies' objections," Tadjus said. (ind/cst)