Sutiyoso prepared to back down on bus fare hike

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Tuesday he was prepared to annul the administration's plans to increase both bus and parking fees if the plan proved too unpopular.

However, he warned that delaying the hikes could lead to problems, including the possibility of a bus drivers' strike.

"I have repeatedly said these hikes are problematic, because they would mean pleasing one party at the expense of another."

He said if enough groups opposed the planned hike, especially if dissatisfaction was voiced from the legislative council, he would suspend the decision.

His statement contrasted with his earlier announcement on Monday that increased bus fares would come into effect in the first week of August.

The administration has already backed down several times from plans to raise parking fees because of strong opposition from city councilors and the Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI).

The administration announced last week that the Jakarta Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJR), the Association of Public Land Transportation Owners (Organda) and YLKI had agreed on a new bus fare structure.

The proposal includes:

* Rp 500 for regular buses, from Rp 300.

* Rp 900 for non-airconditioned and limited buses (PATAS), from Rp 700.

* Rp 700 for minibuses, from Rp 500.

* Rp 2,500 for air-conditioned PATAS buses, from Rp 2,300.

* Rp 200 for students, from Rp 100.

YLKI denied it had agreed to the new fare structure and described the announcement as "politically motivated".

YLKI deputy chairman Agus Pambagio was insistent the administration should first calculate the various components of the fares and try to keep revisions as low as possible.

He said the public would as a consequence not be burdened, while cash-strapped bus operators would also be assisted.

Parking

YLKI has also opposed a plan to increase parking fees and establish a 35 percent levy for private operators, because the administration was yet to provide better parking management.

Under the proposal, parking fees would be raised to between Rp 500 and Rp 1,000 for the first hour for sedans, jeeps, minibuses and vans in on-street parking in moderately crowded and crowded areas managed by city-owned parking operator BP Parkir.

Off-street parking fees would be set at between Rp 500 to Rp 1,000 an hour depending on vehicle frequency in the area.

City councilor Ali Imron Husein of the United Development Party (PPP) faction said bus fare hikes should be postponed until next year, because the public already carried a heavy burden as a result of the economic crisis.

He said a more stable rupiah should lead to lower costs for imported bus spare parts, and remove any reason for public transportation companies or cooperatives to go bankrupt as often claimed by the administration.

"Transport companies say they can't cope with skyrocketing prices of imported spare parts. Why should these increase now when the rupiah has been strengthening in value against the U.S. everyday?" Ali asked.

Council Speaker Edy Waluyo called on Tuesday for the central government to provide subsidies to help bus operators.

"The government should either waive taxes on spare parts, or give them subsidies for the purchase of spare parts," Edy said.

The administration had earlier announced fares would be increased beginning this week, but later postponed the move to August, creating confusion for the public and bus conductors.

DLLAJR chief Buyung Atang said he would deploy personnel to ride city buses on Wednesday and take down the names of drivers and conductors who charged more than the standard fare.

"If we have to, we could revoke their route permits," Buyung said.(ind/ylt)