People has to pay more for public transportation

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Communications Giri Suseno Hadihardjono announced yesterday increases for city, intercity, ferry and sea transportation fares effective today due to the government's decision to raise fuel prices.

The minister said fares for land transportation in Java and Bali would be increased between 50 percent and 66 percent.

The increases in other regions outside Bali and Java were between 6 percent and 14 percent.

Domestic air transportation fares would be temporarily maintained at current levels, he said, adding that any future tariff increases would be decided by the Association of National Carriers.

Giri said the government had to make the bitter decision in a bid to help public transportation services survive the economic crisis, which has caused sharp increases in the prices of spare parts.

The minister said the government carefully considered the price increases by thoroughly calculating public purchasing power and that it believed the move would not prompt further price increases.

"The increase in transportation fares will be minimal, contributing only about 3 percent to the country's inflation rate," Giri said after meeting with President Soeharto along with Minister of Mines and Energy Kuntoro Mangkusubroto at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Kuntoro also announced increases in fuel prices and electricity tariffs after the meeting.

Giri assured that the government would retain student tariffs for city transportation, especially in Jakarta where the special fare is Rp 100.

"The procurement of school buses could be a solution, but of course this needs time," said Giri.

The minister said taxi fare increases in Jakarta and other cities would be decided by governors.

Giri added that fares for air-conditioned buses would be decided by the government after consulting bus operators.

"Meanwhile, fares for intercity buses will be raised by an average of 50 percent (in Java and Bali)," the minister noted.

The following are details of new transportation tariffs.

Land transportation

* Regular city bus fares in Jakarta increased 66 percent from Rp 300 to Rp 500.

* Minibus fares up 50 percent from Rp 400 to Rp 600.

* Intercity bus tariffs in Java and Bali increased 50 percent from Rp 20 to Rp 30 per kilometer per passenger.

* Intercity bus fares in West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor, Kalimantan and Sulawesi increased 14 percent from Rp 28 to Rp 32 per kilometer per passenger.

* Intercity bus fares for Maluku and Irian Jaya increased 6 percent from Rp 32 to Rp 34 per kilometer per passenger.

* Intercity train tariffs increased about 100 percent from Rp 19.43 to Rp 39 per kilometer for each passenger.

* Electric commuter train fares raised from Rp 15.09 to Rp 27.50 per kilometer per passenger.

Ferry

* Fare for Merak-Bakuheni (15 miles) from Rp 86.67 to Rp 145 per mile.

For other places:

* For less than 1 mile from Rp 510 to Rp 885.

* For 1.1 mile to 6 miles from Rp 129.33 to Rp 280.

* For 6.1 miles to 10 miles from Rp 231.11 to Rp 400.

* For 10.1 miles to 20 miles from Rp 165.26 to Rp 340.

* For 20.1 miles to 40 miles from Rp 123.32 to Rp 210.

* For 40.1 miles to 100 miles from Rp 114.36 to Rp 195.

* For more than 100 miles from Rp 101.75 to Rp 185.

"Sea transportation fares have been raised from Rp 133.44 to Rp 200 per mile," said Giri. (prb/rei)