Bus operators to double ticket prices

TANGERANG: A number of bus operators serving passengers from the Poris Plawad intercity bus terminal in Tangerang have moved to raise ticket prices by as much as 100 percent around the Idul Fitri holiday.

Nurul, who works at the PO Safari Dharma Sakti bus ticket booth in the terminal, said on Monday that ticket prices for all destinations in Java and Sumatra would be doubled 10 days before the Idul Fitri holidays.

She said ticket prices for executive class seats to the following destinations would rise as follows: Malang will increase from Rp 230,000 (US$23) to Rp 400,000; Denpasar from Rp 340,000 to Rp 550,000; Yogyakarta and Solo from Rp 105,000 to Rp 275,000.

"The prices will be increased from Sept. 12 until Sept 27," she said, adding that the bus operator had informed passengers about the increase in an anticipation of protests.

Aryo, head of PO Rosalia, which sells bus tickets on Jl. MH. Thamrin, Tangerang, said Rosalia would also double prices, starting seven days before and lasting until seven days after Idul Fitri.

AM Sukardi, head of the Poris Plawad bus terminal, said that to anticipate the influx of passengers heading home to celebrate Idul Fitri, he would meet with representatives from the municipal transportation agency and bus operators.

"We will discuss all necessary preparations for Idul Fitri transportation this week," he said. - JP