'Subsidize public transportation'

The recent fuel price hikes have led to increases in the prices of other services and commodities, which has considerably reduced people's purchasing power. The Jakarta Post talked to two city dwellers and asked them how they were coping with the higher cost of transportation.

Anwar, 35, is an employee at a banking firm in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives in Cimone subdistrict, Tangerang:

As an employee, whose workplace is far from my house, I spend a lot on public transportation because I have to change buses three times to get from my home to work.

After the fuel price hike, I have to spend at least Rp 22,000 on buses and minivans every day. It is nearly equal to the amount we spend on daily meals for the four members of my family.

I think the government must subsidize public transportation. It would be fairer for people because majority of workers here use public transportation.

The government can't just tell public vehicle operators not to increase fares, while doing nothing to help them deal with their soaring operational costs.

Sudiyo, 39, is a driver of public minivan serving the Serpong to Kalideres route in West Jakarta. He lives in Pakulonan, Tangerang:

As you can see now, there are only three passengers on board. This is what I have to deal with every day, even during peak hours in the mornings and evenings.

It is not easy being a driver of public minivan now because after the fuel price hikes we were forced to increase the fares significantly.

The impact is that people prefer to stay at home rather than make trips if they have nothing important to do.

But since we now have to spend Rp 150,000 on fuel for 12 hours of operations, we, of course, cannot charge the fees set by the government. We ask passengers to pay more than they should.

If the government really wants us not to increase fares, it must give a subsidy to public transportation operators. Otherwise, we will go out of business.

-- The Jakarta Post