'How can I get to school? There's no public transportation here. How can all the public transportation drivers be on strike?' said Farid, 18, a senior high school student in Purwokerto, on Wednesday.

He told The Jakarta Post that he had been waiting for a public minivan for more than one hour, but could not find any.

Similarly, a number of residents who wanted to go to traditional markets were affected by the strike. They normally go to the markets at 5 a.m. but by 8 a.m. they still could not find any public transportation. They then decided to return home after learning that the drivers of the city's public transportation had gone on strike.

'I don't understand why they [drivers] should be on strike,' said Manisem, 45, a food-stall owner from Dukuh Waluh village, Kembaran district, Banyumas regency.

Public minivan driver Darsino, 45, said that following the fuel-price hikes, he wanted to increase his fares to Rp 4,000 (32 US cents) from Rp 3,000; however, he was not sure that passengers would accept the new rate.

On Monday evening, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo announced new prices for subsidized fuel that took effect on Tuesday.

The new price of Premium gasoline is Rp 8,500 per liter, up from Rp 6,500, while diesel sells at Rp 7,500 per liter, up from Rp 5,500. Kerosene remains unchanged at Rp 2,500 per liter. (alz/ebf) (++++)

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