Sutiyoso finally endorses taxi hike

Sutiyoso finally endorses taxi hike

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso, to the surprise of many,
finally gave his approval to the 45 percent taxi fare hike
proposed by city taxi operators.

But, the governor stressed that the city administration would
not require all taxi companies to comply with the new fare.

"We will not force all taxi companies to raise their fares. We
are endorsing the 45 percent hike, but each company can decide on
their own fares, either to impose the new fare or maintain the
old one," Sutiyoso said after inspecting city government offices
in the Kebayoran Lama and Pondok Pinang districts in South
Jakarta.

"If some of the companies think that they can earn enough
profit with the current fare, then they should not implement the
fare increase.

Sutiyoso said the city administration would not conduct
special operations to monitor the implementation of the new fare
but would continue with its regular ones which focus on the
condition of the taxis operating on the city's streets.

"For example, if they raise the flagfall from Rp 2,000 (21 US
cents) to Rp 3,000 (32 US cents), the company should provide
comfortable cars, good air conditioners and safety guarantees for
the passengers," Sutiyoso said.

After a one-month suspension, the City Council endorsed the 45
percent fare hike proposed by taxi companies in the capital. The
approval resolution was forwarded to Governor Sutiyoso on Oct.
24.

With the 45 percent hike, taxi companies can raise the
flagfall from Rp 2,000 to Rp 3,000, and increase the running
charge from Rp 900 per kilometer to Rp 1,300 per kilometer. The
waiting fee would also increase from Rp 10,000 to Rp 13,000 per
hour.

Of the 32 taxi companies operating in the capital, two have
rejected the fare hike, saying their companies can survive
without raising fares. The two companies are Steady Safe and
Citra Taxi.

The City Council in its approval resolution had recommended
that the city administration accommodate those taxi companies
which opposed the fare hike.

"I will accommodate every interest of the public. So, if some
oppose the hike it is fine but if they want the hike, we are
providing a clear corridor with the hike being restricted to 45
percent and dependent on the taxis being in good condition,"
Sutiyoso said.

As to the effective date of the new fare, Sutiyoso said he
would not issue a decree and would leave the decision to the
Association of City Land Transportation Owners (Organda).

"What I can give them is a letter of approval, but not a
decree. It will be up to them to decide when they will impose the
new fare as they have to make various preparations and inform the
public about the new scheme," he added.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Jakarta chapter of Organda Aip
Sjarifuddin told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that he has yet to
receive a copy of the governor's approval.

"We will not impose the new fare until we receive a copy of
the approval," he said. (dja)