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)