Toll road price hike may start tomorrow

Toll road price hike may start tomorrow

JAKARTA (JP): Toll road price increases will be effective from
tomorrow when President Soeharto officiates at the opening of
part of the inner toll ring road.

Minister of Public Works Radinal Moochtar said yesterday that
if the President officiates the Tanjung Priok-Jembatan Tiga-Pluit
to Tomang toll road tomorrow, the presidential decision on the
toll increase will be effective.

"Insya Allah (God Willing)," he said in response to whether
the increase is definitely effective on Wednesday.

Speaking after officiating at the start of construction of the
Kebon Jeruk-Penjaringan toll road, Radinal declined to state the
percentage of the increase.

He only said public opinion has been taken into account,
including requests from the House of Representatives that the
rates for commuters and public vehicles remain the same.

A private-owned company, PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada, has
proposed a hike by Rp 500 (21 U.S. cents).

Achmadi, a House member from Commission V, which oversees
transportation matters, said legislators have submitted the
considerations of both the public and the investors to the
government.

Achmadi was responding to whether legislators have discussed
all factors which could justify the increase. These include costs
involved in land appropriation, construction costs and profits
from other toll road operations. (anr)