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Bus drivers attack Bandung authorities
More than 1,000 bus drivers in Bandung staged a rally on Monday to protest the launch of the Trans Metro Bandung (TMB) service, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded along Jl
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ore than 1,000 bus drivers in Bandung staged a rally on Monday to protest the launch of the Trans Metro Bandung (TMB) service, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded along Jl. Sukarno-Hatta, the longest street in the West Java capital (see photo).
The rally was marred by violence, as angry protesters, who normally ply the 23-kilometer route down the street, threw stones at the newly launched Damri buses they claimed threatened their already-dwindling income, and beat up one of the drivers.
The victim was driving his bus on the Tanjungsari-Kebon Kalapa route at the time, right past the protesters crowded in front of a Damri depot on Jl. Sukarno-Hatta. He sustained head injuries during the incident.
Bandung Mayor Dada Rosada promptly pulled back the launch of the busway operation at the city's western-most terminal on Jl. Elang and delegated it to the head of the municipal transportation agency, Timbul Butar Butar.
Five of the 10 TMB buses, donated by the Transportation Ministry and due to operate for free on Monday, were withdrawn, with uniformed police officers replacing the drivers to prevent the violence escalating further.
"We want to cool down first and not operate the buses, as the protesters demand," Timbul said.
Stranded passengers were taken to their destinations in police trucks, while the protesters, in a show of innate stupidity, forced their way into the municipal legislative council on Jl. Wastukancana by breaking down the gate. -- JP/Yuli Tri Suwarni
