Taxi drivers go on strike

JAKARTA (JP): About 500 Ratax Taxi drivers went on strike yesterday, demanding the company management lower the 16-hour vehicle rental fee from Rp 80,000 (US$8.8) to Rp 60,000.

The strike began at about 8 a.m. at the taxi headquarters in Cipulir, South Jakarta. Drivers were back on the street by 1 p.m. after their representatives met with the company management.

Both the management and the drivers' representatives refused to disclose the results of their talks.

The drivers said the rental fee was exorbitant because there were fewer passengers during the economic crisis and the gasoline price had increased to Rp 1,200 from Rp 700.

A company official, Ignatius Mulyanto, said it was impossible for the company to lower the rental fees during the crisis.

"We just hope that the government will raise the flag fall to Rp 2,500. An increase in taxi fares will certainly better the driver's income," he said. (edt)