Padang transportation paralyzed

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