Public minivan drivers violate traffic regulation, bribe police

Public minivan drivers in Jakarta often violate traffic regulations but they say that have never been ticketed as the police take bribes.

Sam, 56, a driver serving the Meruya-Tanah Abang route, told The Jakarta Post on Friday that he usually paid Rp 10,000 (US$1.0) to police officers who found him picking up and dropping passengers at an intersection or any other illegal stopping area.

Sam and other drivers admitted they often violated the traffic regulation and showed little discipline on the road because they had to compete for passengers.

Sam said he received an average of Rp 100,000 daily but his net income was  Rp 15,000 because he had to pay the minivan owner Rp 50,000 for daily rent as well as an  amount for gasoline and meals. (rch)Public minivan drivers violate traffic regulation, bribe police