Public minivan drivers on strike

TANGERANG: About 500 public minivan drivers in Tangerang went on strike on Monday to protest the presence of a new public minivan route they said took away their business.

Tangerang Public Minivan Drivers Solidarity group chairman Ujang said the regency and Tangerang Council should cancel the license for the new route which was depriving drivers on 12 other routes of their daily earnings, Tempointeraktif reported.

The new route traverses Kotabumi, Jl. Raya Pasar Kemis, Jati, Dumpit, Harapan Kita and Lippo Karawaci.

The drivers also demanded the administration take stern action to stop drivers passing through Binong village being charged illegal levies of up to Rp 3,000, Ujang said.

The drivers promised a larger protest if the administration and councillors ignored their demands. -- JP