Organda should not force new taxi tariff: Official

Organda should not force new taxi tariff: Official

JAKARTA (JP): The city's Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ)
asserted on Monday that taxi companies were free to set either a
flag fall of Rp 2,000 or Rp 3,000.

The statement by DLLAJ chief Buyung Atang rebutted the
insistence of the Land Transportation Owners' Association
(Organda) who demanded that all taxi companies apply the new
higher tariff.

He insisted that Organda had no discretion to determine and
demand a mandatory application of the higher tariff as it was the
authority of the administration with the approval of the council.

Buyung even went so far as to suggest that taxi companies
could abandon Organda and set up a new organization if they
distrust Organda.

"It would not be a problem for the city administration,"
Buyung told reporters.

He further urged Organda to revoke its letter distributed to
taxi companies last week which told taxi companies to apply the
new tariff by May 1 and warned of sanctions if they rejected.

The letter was issued after a meeting between DLLAJ and 34
taxi companies on Wednesday.

"It completely depends on the taxi companies," Buyung
insisted.

Buyung pointed out that there was no agreement during the
meeting to apply the new tariff and several companies, including
Kosti Jaya and Citra taxi companies, rejected the new tariff.

"So we are letting them apply the old tariff," he said adding
that his agency would not issue any sanctions.

City councillors also deplored Organda's attempt to force the
application of the new tariff.

"The organization often acts on behalf of DLLAJ despite
Organda being an association outside the administration with only
a coordinating function," Azis Boeang of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle said.

Councillor Tubagus Abbas Soleh Makmun said Organda was trying
to cajole certain taxi companies who refused to apply the new
tariff.

Gubernatorial Decree No. 2503/2000 allows taxi companies to
raise the flag fall and increase the charge from Rp 900 per
kilometer to Rp 1,300 per kilometer. The waiting fee was also
increased from Rp 10,000 to Rp 13,000 per hour.

But taxi companies have been split on applying the new fare.

Taxi firms such as the Blue Bird group immediately applied for
the new fares in September while other firms such as Kosti Jaya,
Steady Safe, Prestasi, Sri Medali and Queen Taxi still use the
old one.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute on Monday demanded
the disbandment of Organda since it was impartial and often took
sides with "certain members".

"Organda should cease trying to force taxi firms to apply the
new tariff," the institute's city and urban society division
head, Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, said in a statement on Monday.

He said the institute supported taxi companies that have stood
firm in applying the old tariff. (jun)