Thugs prey on bus drivers

Thugs prey on bus drivers

SLAWI, Central Java: About 60 city bus drivers pleaded with police for protection yesterday from gangs of thugs who extort money from them.

They told chief of the Slawi police precinct, Lt. Col. Yunus Razak, that thugs have demanded up to Rp 2,500 a day from each driver in the bus station and would attack them if their demand was turned down.

Yunus said that police arrested two of the alleged criminals and promised to intensify their fight against the gang.

During an unannounced visit to bus stations, Banyumas regent Djoko Soedantoko caught red-handed several intercity bus drivers who illegally rose fares up to 50 percent.

He said the government allowed bus companies to raise their fares up to 25 percent as from yesterday through two weeks after the Idul Fitri holidays which fall on March 3-4. (wah)