Transport operators want fare increase
Transport operators want fare increase
JAKARTA (JP): The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) yesterday urged the House of Representatives to support its proposals for an increase in land transportation tariffs and assistance to bus companies.
Representatives of the organization told a hearing with House Commission V for transportation, public works, postal services, tourism, telecommunications and public housing, that the current fares no longer support commercially viable transit services.
The commission is scheduled to meet Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto today concerning the fare proposals.
"We have been suffering losses for the past three years because the present government-set fares, which have not been changed since 1993, do not come anywhere near to covering our operating costs," the organization's secretary-general, Djauhari Perangin Angin, said.
The current fares for city bus services in Jakarta are Rp 550 (24 U.S. cents) for non-air-conditioned Patas (express) buses, Rp 1,300 for air-conditioned Patas buses, Rp 300 for minibuses, Rp 250 for regular buses and Rp 100 for students.
Organda has proposed that the Ministry of Transportation increase the public transit fees for regular buses from Rp 250 to Rp 500, Patas buses from Rp 550 to Rp 900 and for air-conditioned buses from Rp 1,300 to Rp 1,750. The transportation body also wants the taxi flag fall to rise from Rp 900 to Rp 1,500.
It suggested that the inter-city bus fares be calculated and set on a per kilometer basis.
The organization has proposed that a law on city transportation fares be enacted because many of the regulations issued by provincial governments are not in conformity with Traffic Law No. 14/1992, Djauhari said.
Anwar Datuk, the commission's vice-chairman criticized Organda's management system, especially the daily rental fee set for drivers.
"Under such as system, any fare increase will benefit only the owners rather than the drivers since any fare increase usually is followed by a rise in daily rental fees for vehicles," Anwar said.
Anwar said the system forced the drivers to pursue rental fees to the neglect of commuters' safety.
He suggested that Organda change the system so the drivers would get salaries. (01)