Taxi drivers enjoy big profit

JAKARTA: Taxi drivers working during the Idul Fitri holidays have enjoyed a 40 percent increase in income over their normal day-to-day earnings.

Suherman, a taxi driver, told The Jakarta Post that he has been taking home some Rp 200,000 a day, 40 percent more than what he usually earns.

But, he added, there has been no increase in the number of taxis owned by his company out on the street.

"It's hard to get a taxi on the holidays, due to the increasing demand," he said, noting that his company owns over 1,000 cabs.

Although some taxi drivers have left the city to celebrate Idul Fitri, this is not believed to be a factor in the number of taxis on the roadways because each cab is used by two drivers over the course of a 24-hour period, Suherman said.

Based on Suherman's experience, most passengers were families seeking to visit recreational areas, or to visit their relatives.

Due to high demand, some taxi drivers have refused to take people with running meters, instead bargaining for an agreed-upon fare before reaching a destination.--JP