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)