T

he Bali administration and the provincial legislative council have set up a joint team to review the province's need for more taxis.

Made Arjaya, head of the council's commission that overseas public transportation, said the team would carry out meetings for feedback from stakeholders including taxi operators, travel companies, public transportation companies and drivers on the need for more taxi fleets in Bali.

"The local administration is required to postpone its plan to issue a new operation permit for new taxi fleets," Arjaya said.

Arjaya added the legislative council had frequently questioned the administration's policy to add taxi fleets in Bali.

The policy caused strong protest from taxi operators and public transportation companies that said Bali had an adequate number of taxis and public transportation.

In late 2009, the Bali administration issued permits for the operation of 930 new taxis including the new 330 taxis.

In 2005, a study on Bali transportation need revealed the island's transportation fleet had reached its saturation point.

The study suggested local authorities stop giving new permits to operate public transport, including taxis. Bali currently has 1,900 taxis operated by the Blue Bird Group, Wahana Taxi, Komotra and other companies.

Taxi owners and drivers lodged a protest against the administration's policy to add 930 taxis and said the existing number hardly met their target revenue.

"There are so many taxis and few passengers," Komotra driver said.

The driver said he had to compete with other taxi drivers to attract more passengers.

"Only few local take taxis. They have their own cars or motorcycles. Most passengers are foreign tourists," he added.

In the last few months, many taxi drivers complained they earned less money because they had to compete with hundreds of other taxi drivers.

"Previously, I could earn at least Rp 100,000 (US$10) a day for my family. Now, we are lucky to earn Rp 25,000."

On the other hand, Sutama, a representative from Wahana Taxi management, said that the company needs more fleets to meet increasing demand.