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undreds of conventional taxi drivers blockaded the Pekanbaru mayor’s office on Monday to press the city administration to ban the operations of app-based taxi services.

The drivers, who work for several taxi companies such as Puskopau, Blue Bird, Kopsi and Riau Taxi, parked their vehicles in the middle of the city’s main road, Jl. Sudirman, paralyzing traffic in the area from morning till noon.

Yudison, who represents Puskopau Taxi management, said the rally was aimed at pushing the Pekanbaru administration to halt the operations of online-based ride-hailing services in the city.

“Their presence has disrupted our operations, causing the incomes of conventional taxi drivers to decline. What can we give to feed our children and wives? The government should not close its eyes,” said Yudison.

“They take passengers at malls, hotels and even on the streets. We have lost our livelihoods since the online-based cabbies opened up. We want the government to crack down on app-based taxi services because their numbers continue to increase. How can we stop their operations? We leave it to the government,” he further said.

After the drivers took turns delivering orations for more than an hour, Pekanbaru Transportation Agency head Arifin Haharap agreed to meet with the protesters. He later invited representatives of conventional taxi operations to meet with officials from related institutions, the Pekanbaru Police and the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda). Initially, the drivers wanted Pekanbaru Mayor Firdaus to attend the meeting. Their demand could not be realized because he is on duty in Batam.

In the meeting, Yudison stated that conventional taxi drivers would launch sweeping raids on app-based cabs in Pekanbaru if the government failed to take a tough stance against the ride-hailing services. He deplored the recent move by online-based taxi operators to openly display banners informing the public of job vacancies available through their companies.

App-based transportation services are technically banned in the city.

“I will convey the aspirations of conventional taxi drivers and operators to the [Pekanbaru] mayor. It is he who will make the decision,” said Arifin.

Dozens of conventional taxi drivers clashed with online-cab drivers on Sunday evening. Three online taxi drivers were injured in the fray and were rushed to the hospital.

Pekanbaru Police chief Sr. Comr. Susanto said the clash erupted after conventional taxi drivers attacked ride-hailing service GoJek and Go Car drivers after learning that the app-based services were still operating despite the ban.

As a show of solidarity, online-based taxi drivers fought back, attacking and destroying conventional taxis, which waited for passengers in front of Mall SKA. ”So far, only one victim — online taxi driver Arif Setiawan, 29, — has filed a report with the police. Tampan Police personnel are investigating the clash,” said Susanto.

Organda Pekanbaru secretary Agus Sikumbang said nine conventional taxis were damaged and three drivers were injured in the brawl. “Online taxi operators must fix the damage and pay out the losses,” he said.

In Monday’s meeting, Pekanbaru Legislative Council member Roni Amril, who heads the commission that oversees transportation affairs, asked all parties to calm down.

“All business activities must have permits. If not, they must stop operations for the sake of the law. Please respect the law,” said Roni. (yon)