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)