Public transport goes on strike

Public transport goes on strike

BANDUNG: Hundreds of striking public transport drivers parked their minibuses along Jl. Diponegoro for three hours yesterday, leaving thousands of passengers on the Cicaheum - Ledeng route stranded.

Driver Tatang told Antara that he and his friends staged the strike in protest at the number of new minibuses operating illegally. Competition among the 200 registered public transport vehicles is stiff enough, without having to contend with the new ones, he said.

"In order to obtain enough money to pay for our daily rental fees, we often have to fight over passengers with other drivers," he said.

Upik, a passenger, said many people were late for work and school because of the strike.

Bandung police spokesman Lt. Col Ito Sumardi said his office had never issued any permits for the new minibuses, and promised to look into the matter further. (swe)