Bus drivers hike fares during Ramadan

TANGERANG: Although the government have yet to issue any ruling regarding fare hikes ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday, some bus operators say they have increased their fares in the hope of making more money.

Asep, 40, a bus driver for company PO Arimbi, said he had imposed a higher fare of between Rp 20,000 (US$2.20) and Rp 25,000 since the first week of Ramadan, compared to the usual Rp 15,000 for trips from Kalideres, West Jakarta and Tangerang to Merak.

“We have no other source of income. We wouldn’t be able to survive Ramadan with the soaring prices of commodities ahead of the Idul Fitri festivities [if we didn’t increase the fare],” Asep said.

Kusnadi Badui, 30, a minivan driver serving the Rangkas Bitung-Ciboleger route, said he had even asked passengers to pay Rp 15,000 instead of Rp 12,500 since the first day of Ramadan.

Asmin Subakti, 45, a bus driver plying the inter-province MerakMadiun, East Java route, said he had imposed Rp 150,000 as of the second week of Ramadan, up from the usual Rp 100,000. —JP