Passengers stranded as drivers launch strike

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of public transportation passengers here were stranded on Tuesday when angkot (public transportation minivan) drivers went on strike to protest route overlaps.

The strike was launched by drivers of the D-06 minivans plying the Ciputat-Jombang route in Tangerang regency. The drivers were protesting route overlaps with D-08 minivans plying the Ciputat- BSD housing complex route.

The protesting drivers parked their minivans near Sudimara railway station and Villa Mutiara housing complex in Ciputat.

The striking drivers accused the D-08 minivan drivers of "stealing" part of their route.

The drivers said the overlap occurred after the Tangerang Land Transportation Control office (DLLAJ) issued D-08 minivans a new route.

"Our income has fallen drastically because of the route overlap," Hasibuan, one of the D-06 minivan drivers, said.

He said the D-08 minivan drivers took over part of the D-06 minivan route after a number of the roads on their old route were damaged.

"Although the roads had been repaired, the D-08 minivan drivers will not return to their old route. We can no longer tolerate this," he said.

Hasibuan said the D-06 minivan drivers had repeatedly filed complaints with the land transportation control office about the route overlap, but had not received a satisfactory response.

The head of DLLAJ, Kadili, could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, an executive with the Association of Land Transportation Owners, Rony, urged DLLAJ to help solve the dispute as soon as possible.

"We hope the dispute does not spread because we fear it could disturb the upcoming general election," Rony said.

Tuesday's strike forced hundreds of public transportation passengers to walk or travel by ojek (motorcycle taxi).

"I arrived late at my office because of the strike," one passenger, Dian, said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the drivers were still on strike.

D-08 minivan drivers also did not work on Tuesday because the streets were blocked by the striking D-06 minivan drivers. (41/jun)