Taxi fares are higher than my salary

Taxi fares are higher than my salary

Beginning April. 1, the Jakarta administration has allowed taxi
operators to raise their fares by as high as 38 percent for the
waiting fee, despite the fact that their services are often below
par. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here on
their comments on the increase, which came more than one month
after the central government raised fuel prices by an average of
29 percent.

Supi Ghansam, 35, is an expatriate, who works as an English
teacher at the British Institute. She lives in Permata Hijau,
South Jakarta.

After the fuel hike, I jumped into cabs that charged by the
book. But the drivers always said I had to pay a minimum of Rp
15,000 because of the fuel hike. They were not the dodgy cabs
either.

Raising taxi fares is fair because of the fuel price hike, but
it is bad for us because we are not getting more. I would expect
better service and cleaner taxis, as safety has never been an
issue for me -- from my experience as a regular taxi user.

However, I don't like the fact that we must pay a minimum of
Rp 20,000 to order a cab and I heard that they are looking to
increase the minimum order payment.

Sita Purba, 45, is a businesswoman and founder of the Bintang
Kecil foundation, a non-profit Autism center. She lives in
Ciputat, South Jakarta.

I don't like it because my salary has not increased. The fares
went up a couple of days ago, and I don't think that should have
happened because I earn the same amount of money.

I am angry -- very angry. I expect better service. It really
annoys me when taxi drivers refuse to take me, if the distance is
near.

For example, if I want to go to Lebak Bulus from Citos
(Cilandak Town Square), my chances of getting a taxi are slim as
it is too close.

--The Jakarta Post