Padang transportation paralyzed

PADANG, West Sumatra: Thousands of Padang commuters reached their destinations on foot on Tuesday as the city's public transportation system was paralyzed by a public minivan driver strike.

The drivers' strike began Monday to press their demands to the city administration to increase public transportation fares following a recent hike in fuel prices.

The drivers parked their minivans along the main roads and encouraged other minivans to join them. In some parts of the city they stoned the windows of operating minivans and forced the passengers out.

This action triggered a fight among the drivers, leaving at least five vehicles damaged.

The drivers criticized the city administration's slow response in accommodating their demand as they had waited for eleven days for appropriate action.

"We can not make ends meet since the public transportation owners still demand the same daily fee of Rp 90,000 and leave us around Rp 30,000," Daril, one of the minivan drivers said. --JP