Yogyakarta to raise bus fares

YOGYAKARTA: Bus fares are expected to rise between 20 to 50 percent in the coming weeks.

Head of the Yogyakarta Traffic Bureau, Moenadji, said on Saturday that the administration was awaiting the provincial Council to approve the hike.

The administration proposed that bus fares be raised from Rp 500 to Rp 600, while student fares from Rp 150 to Rp 300.

Moenadji claimed that the fares were proposed in consideration of the ability of the local population to pay given the current economic hardship.

But the first sounds of criticism came not from the public who would have to bear the increased fares, but from the Public Transportation Organization (Organda) who claimed that the rise was insufficient.

Joko Suwahno, speaking on behalf of the organization, said "even the new fares cannot cover our operational fees".

He cited the tremendous rise in the price of vehicle spare parts as one reason for higher fares.

"Only half of the transportation companies here operate and if the fare is not raised enough many will go bankrupt," Joko said as quoted by Antara.

Organda is demanding that fares be raised to Rp 900 for adults and Rp 500 for students. (04)