Today
Jakarta
- 25 °C
Other Publications
Soekarno-Hatta Airport to eradicate illegal taxis
Multa Fidrus , The Jakarta Post , Tangerang | Mon, 10/06/2008 6:21 PM | Jakarta
The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport authority plans to crack down on illegal private taxis, the numbers of which have mushroomed following the Idul Fitri holidays.
"We are preparing a joint-operation to rid the airport of illegal taxis and other illegal transportation services," airport administrator Herry Bhakti said Monday.
Currently 625 illegal taxis operate at the airport every day, Herry said, adding that dozens of illegal taxi drivers could be seen standing at each terminal -- blocking passengers on arrival and offering their services.
"We plan to cut the number back to 300 through these operations. We are planning to register these taxis as hire transportation that can be managed under the airport's regulations," he said.
The airport classifies illegal taxis into several groups; illegal taxis, semi-illegal drivers and illegal drivers, Herry said.
"Illegal taxis are those operating without a legal permit. Semi-illegal drivers are private vehicle drivers whose permit has been revoked by the airport," he said.
Airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II once allowed private vehicles to transport airport service users, but when their licenses were revoked many drivers continued to do the job.
The joint operation will be held in the near future and will be jointly managed by the airport police and Angkasa Pura II security.
Separately, airport security head Roch Agus said illegal taxis were a potential danger for airport visitors because they provide no guarantees for passenger safety.
Airport police chief Comr. Sutimin said police had already conducted a series of operations to net illegal taxis operating at the airport, but they had difficulty completely eradicating
them because illegal taxis often look like private vehicles.
"Our main problem has been that it's very difficult to identify private cars that are used as illegal taxis," he said. (dre)
More Web News
- HOW MANY TECHNICIANS
- HUCKLEBERRY FRIENDS
- Communities awarded for getting their hands dirty
- Tenants left powerless and angry
- Laid-off workers take risks to make ends meet
- Thugs are gone, for now, but the vendors linger
- Residents hope fossils give area exposure
- Experts to examine bones of mysterious animal
- Railway made into training ground
- Fire engulfs paint factory
Popular News
What's On
- The 5th Jakarta Motor Show & Jakarta Motorcycle Show
12/05/2008 - 12/14/2008, Jakarta Convention Centre - Games Fair
12/10/2008 - 12/14/2008, Jakarta Convention Centre - Djarum Black Automodified
12/20/2008 - 12/21/2008, Jakarta Convention Centre
C (not verified) — Mon, 10/13/2008 - 9:31am
I agree partialy with the others who have left comments here in reference to the illegal taksi. I have had the same problems with the annoying illegal drivers, but anyone with intelligence knows to perform some reconnaissance and learn of the legitimate companies. I listen to the illegals while smoking a kretek and then walk to the official Blue Bird & Silver Bird and recieve a true metered fare. One must be careful if they do choose to take the illegal taksi with agreeing to a flat rate fare. They will usually charge atleast double the fare one will recieve on a metered taksi. A person will end up with a situation that they themself have allowed & set to happen.
Indonesia is a great beautiful country & the people in general have treated me well no matter if it was while I had lived there or while on business trips.
Walter Jacobs, Belgium (not verified) — Fri, 10/10/2008 - 10:07pm
The first time I arrived at Jakarta Airport I was shocked by the way I got "attacked" by people who offered me a taxi into the city.
It was a hassle and I didn't feel save at all.
This happened outside ramadan ramadan or the weeks after.
When will the Jakarta Airport authority's do something about that?
I want to use a good taxi from a reliable compagnie who's using it's "meter"(argo) and are offered by friendly people.
Spending a lot of money to promote Indonesia as a holliday destination is wasting money when things like this keep going on.
My first impression of Jakarta was bad because of the taxi-hassle at the airport....
Stressed (not verified) — Tue, 10/07/2008 - 8:43am
Thank God... There's nothing worse after a long and tiring flight then to be besieged by these incessant illegal taxi operators that swarm you at the arrival gate. It's so bad at times they even prevent your exit unless they take your bags. It's an awful situation and a very bad first experience for the first-time visitor to Jakarta.
David, Jakarta (not verified) — Tue, 10/07/2008 - 7:28am
The only difference between many of the 'legal' taxis and the 'illegal' ones is that the former pay a fat fee to the airport authority for the privilege of ripping off customers with extortionate fares in tatty cars.
Real progress will only be made when to become a 'legal' taxi requires the operator and the vehicle to meet a basic standard. Until then newly arrived travelers will continue to have a bad impression of Indonesia's capital, while those of us who know the city will continue to fend off swarms of mosquito-like touts while we wait for a cab from a reputable firm.