Rampant violations in sale of bus tickets: DLLAJ

JAKARTA (JP): The head of City Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ), J.P. Sepang, expressed concern yesterday over rampant violations in bus ticketing for those intending to leave the city for next week's Idul Fitri holiday.

During an impromptu visit to Lebak Bulus Bus Terminal in South Jakarta and Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal in East Jakarta, he found that almost every ticket booth displayed misleading ticket prices.

Most of the tickets were either sold above the government-set prices on busy routes or for less on routes which were not in high demand.

A one-way ticket to Wonogiri, Central Java, for example, sold for Rp 32,000 instead of the fixed price of Rp 31,600.

A ticket for the trip to Pacitan, East Java, however, sold for Rp 32,000 instead of Rp 39,900.

It is feared discounted prices will spark a tariff war among bus companies, thereby ruining the government's efforts at regulation.

In some cases, buses were not available but tickets were still sold to passengers.

With Indonesia reeling from the economic crisis, the increases in ticket prices, however small, are an unnecessary burden for locals.

"This is outrageous!" Sepang said. "Don't trick passengers.

"The amount taken from each ticket may be small, but if it is multiplied by millions of passengers... it adds up to a tremendous amount of corruption."

Sepang lashed out at those responsible in front of puzzled terminal officials and tore down all the lists of prices for tickets.

"I don't care if you have to work 24 hours. Finish the new ticket list properly."

As of today all tickets are expected to be sold in accordance with the government's regulations with only a 25 percent charge being added to tickets during the holiday season.

He said the agency would also put undercover officers on buses to prevent passengers being forced to pay illegal charges.

The agency will also provide a "criticism box" in each terminal for passengers who want to file complaints.

Senayan's east parking lot, in South Jakarta, has been turned into an additional terminal and those traveling to Purwokerto, Solo, Tegal (all in Central Java) and Cirebon in West Java have been advised to make use of the terminal instead of flocking to Pulogadung terminal in East Jakarta.

The Jakarta office of the Ministry of Transportation said at least 7,801 regular buses have been prepared in anticipation of the exodus.

Another 1,400 additional buses and 700 vehicles have been assigned to the Senayan parking lot terminal.

The Armed Forces has also offered trucks to ferry holidaymakers.

To accommodate an estimated 1.4 million passengers, 14 additional terminals have been readied as a backup for the four main terminals -- Pulogadung and Kampung Rambutan in East Jakarta, Kalideres in West Jakarta and Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta.

A total of 3.5 million people are expected to leave the city for the Idul Fitri holiday.

In a bid to avoid any possible accidents, Jakarta Police Traffic Directorate yesterday conducted urine and blood pressure tests on drivers of buses which will serve people at the Pulogadung and Kampung Rambutan bus stations.

A total of 70 drivers were chosen from dozens of bus companies to participate in the random tests.

Chief Fachruddin Bakar said that the tests were conducted to anticipate the possibility of drunken drivers.

"We want only drivers who are in a good and healthy condition to be driving buses."

Similar testing was also staged late last month. About 11 of the 70 drivers tested were declared not in good condition for driving. Alcohol was detected in samples taken from five of the 11 drivers. (edt/ind/cst)