PEER PRESSURE: A public minivan driver examines his broken windshield on Jl. Joglo in West Jakarta on Tuesday. The windshield was broken by striking drivers angry that the minivan was operating despite their calls for a strike over fuel price rises. (JP/R.B Wedhatama)

Despite ongoing strikes and arbitrary fare increases, agreement has yet to be reached on official public transportation fare increases.

Talks between the Jakarta administration, the Transportation Ministry and Jakarta's Land Transportation Owners Organization (Organda) have so far proved fruitless.

Striking public transportation drivers demanded the government increase transport fares in the wake of Friday's fuel price rise.

The strikes have left thousands of passengers stranded. Governor Fauzi Bowo said Tuesday the administration would provide vehicles to offset the lack of buses.

City transportation agency head Nurachman said this was one of the administration's three contingency options.

"First, we'll wait for the ministry's decision because Organda says public vehicle fares will not be increased if the government subsidizes fuel for public transportation," he said.

"The ministry is now calculating how much it can subsidize. This may take time."

He said the second option was to increase public transportation fares by 15 percent.

"The third option will be taken if no agreement is reached between the concerned parties," Nurachman said.

"We'll provide passengers with buses borrowed from the National Police, the Army and those used to transport our employees."

He said the transportation council and Organda were trying to find a middle ground in working out a reasonable fare increase.

Herry Rotty, chairman of Organda's Jakarta chapter, said a rise of 40 to 50 percent in fares would be realistic.

"But in principle, we still demand a subsidy," he said.

The governor said he would ask busway operator Transjakarta and state railway operator PT Kereta Api (KA) to extend their working hours in an effort to mitigate the impact of the drivers' strike.

Transjakarta operational manager Rene Nunumete said his company was prepared help.

KA's head of operation for the Greater Jakarta area, Akhmad Sujadi, said KA would need to consider the governor's request.

Reports from Tangerang showed a 25 percent increase in sales of commuter train tickets to the capital, suggesting many Tangerang residents who usually drove cars or rode motorcycles to Jakarta were taking the train.

Anton Suryadi, a Cisauk resident, decided to go to work by train.

"I don't mind the crowded train car. I have no choice. If I use my motorcycle to get to work, I will have to spend more money for fuel," he said.

Public minivan passengers have also made the transition to trains because many minivan drivers have raised fares. KA, however, has not yet raised its fares.

KA does not have any plans to increase the frequency of commuter trains despite the increase in passenger numbers, Sujadi said.(uwi)

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