Perumka raises fares for noneconomy trains

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned railway company Perumka has increased business and executive class fares by between 41.5 percent and 100 percent from today, following last weeks government backed increases in the fares for other forms of public transportation.

Perumka president Soemino Ekosaputra said Saturday that he had discussed the increase with House Commission IV for Communications.

"They (the legislators) said the decision to increase business and executive class train fares could be taken by Perumka," Soemino said.

The fare for the Argo Bromo I Jakarta-Surabaya train was raised to Rp 175,000 (about US$20) from Rp 100,000, and the fare for the Argo Gede Jakarta-Bandung train was increased to Rp 50,000 from Rp 30,000.

The Argo Lawu Jakarta-Surakarta train fare was increased to Rp 140,000 from Rp 80,000, the Argo Muria Jakarta-Semarang train fare now costs Rp 140,00, up from 85,000, and a ticket on the Sembrani Jakarta-Solo train now costs Rp 140,000. It formerly cost Rp 80,000.

The executive class fare on the Senja Utama Jakarta-Solo train was raised to Rp 100,000 from Rp 57,000. The fare for the same class on the Fajar Utama Jakarta-Yogyakarta train was raised to Rp 95,000 from Rp 55,000.

All fares are still subject to a 15 percent discount, Soemino said.

"That is normal practice. When we introduce new fares, we begin by offering a 15 percent discount," he said.

Soemino said business and executive passengers accounted for only seven percent of all passengers, but contributed 49 percent of Perumka's total revenue of Rp 870 billion per annum.

He said that the increases were necessary because of the rising cost of operating and maintaining trains. Operating costs alone had increased by 80.6 percent in the last year, he said.

Earlier last week, the government increased economy class intercity train fares by 100 percent to Rp 39 per kilometer, up from Rp 19.43 per kilometer.

The government also raised fares on electric commuter trains to Rp 27.50 per kilometer, up from Rp 15.09 per kilometer.

Perumka, however, has so far continued to charge the old prices for economy seats.

"This shows we are committed to not adding to the burden on the public," he added. (gis)