As known, the increase on diesel and premium subsidized fuel (BBM) price is the reason why some public transport crews raise tariff unilaterally. This condition leads to unrest amongst the passengers, especially if the tariff raised is more than Rp 1,000. On the other hand, the official new tariff is still being discussed, in which the highest tariff increase proposed is Rp 1,500.

The bus driver and conductor are very outrageous. They used the moment of fuel price hike to raise tariff arbitrarily

One of public transports that raises its tariff is air-conditioned bus Patas 34 (Blok M-Poris Plawad). The crews of bus owned by Mayasari Bhakti Otobus Company (PO) are charging each passenger to pay Rp 10,000 from initially Rp 7,000 before fuel price hike. As a result, quarrels often happened between the passengers and bus crews.

“The bus driver and conductor are very outrageous. They used the moment of fuel price hike to raise tariff arbitrarily,” lamented Suci Amalia (27), one of passengers onboard AC Patas 34, Wednesday (11/19).

Responding on this matter, Head of Jakarta Transportation Department Control and Operational Division, Syafrin Liputo, promised will instruct his men to check the tariff applied by AC Patas 34 bus crews. If proven true, the bus could be grounded or even stopped its operational.

“We will immediately check to the field. If the bus crews really raised tariff for as much as Rp 3,000, we will directly ground the vehicle,” he stated.

Moreover, Liputo urges all bus operators and crews not to raise tariff unilaterally. This is because his party and Jakarta Land Transportation Organization (Organda) Executive Council (DPD) are still discussing the adjustment on public transport tariff hike in the capital city.

“Don’t raise the tariff yet. Or else, we will do decisive act,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, when beritajakarta.com contacted Mayasari Bhakti President Director, Arifim Azhardi, to be asked for confirmation on this matter, the person cannot be contacted on his cell phone.