Public transport owners warn of bus crew strikes
Public transport owners warn of bus crew strikes
JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta chapter of the Organization of Land
Transportation Owners (Organda DKI) urged the central government
on Friday to subsidize spare parts for public transportation
operators.
Organization chairman Aip Sjarifudin warned the government
that a belated response could possibly incite the city's
thousands of public transportation drivers to go on a massive
strike or stage rallies.
He said Organda DKI hoped the situation would not reach such a
point since it could create unrest or temporarily paralyze the
capital, such as what had occurred last Monday in the North
Sumatra capital of Medan.
Organda DKI submitted the request in a meeting late Friday
afternoon with officials from the National Development Planning
Board and the Ministry of Communications.
The discussion's results have yet to be publicly announced.
"Sorry, I can't tell you anything (about the results) so far
because the discussions are still going on," Aip said in a
telephone call last night.
Earlier, he said Organda DKI, in an attempt to placate drivers
and prevent possible strikes or rallies, had already urged public
transportation operators to be patient.
He had pointed out that the government had been planning to
provide cheap spare parts for them through a subsidy program.
"But if the government fails to act quickly, protests may
occur," Aip said.
The government has allocated Rp 220 billion to subsidize the
price of spare parts for public transportation owners nationwide,
he said.
The prices of spare parts, most of which are imported, have
tripled over the past few months.
A massive strike by thousands of public transportation drivers
crippled Medan last Monday, during which they protested not only
the rising prices of spare parts but also price hikes of basic
commodities.
Many of the striking drivers vandalized local properties.
The ensuing chaotic situation allowed a mob the opportunity to
loot a local shopping center as well.
Stop running
Data from Organda DKI states that Jakarta is home to 21,500
taxis, 11,000 medium- and full-sized buses and 14,000 minivans.
Aip said owners had already stopped running more than half of
the fleet.
"They can no longer afford to buy spare parts for their
vehicles since the prices have jumped up 300 percent," he said.
The number of public transportation vehicles roaring through
the city's streets is predicted to further decrease if spare
parts prices continue to rise.
"If nothing stops the soaring prices of vehicle spare parts, I
think it will become difficult for people to find any buses to
ride next year."
Aip also voiced concern that spare parts traders were
continuing to raise their prices even though the rupiah had
strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
He said, for example, that traders sold tires for Rp 170,000
when the local currency was trading at 15,000 against the dollar.
"But now they sell them for Rp 260,000 even though the rupiah
is already at 10,000 against the dollar. It's very surprising.
"The same is true with other spare parts," he said.
Besides calling for lower spare parts prices, Organda DKI also
urged the government to cut taxes on imported vehicles to be used
for public transportation means. (ind)