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Govt urged to regulate app-based public transportation
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Fight for the right: Drivers of conventional taxis, public minivans and motor-powered tricycles, or motor becak (bentor), stage a rally to protest ride-hailing apps in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sept. 28. (JP/Andi Hajramurni)
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rivers of conventional public transportation joining forces with the Makassar chapter of the Indonesia Transportation Mode Society Alliance (AMMTI) have called on the South Sulawesi administration to immediately issue a bylaw on the regulation of online-based taxis and ojek (motorcycle taxis) operating in the province.
Before the bylaw is issued, all ride-hailing apps must stop their operations, they said during a rally in front of the South Sulawesi Legislative Council (DPRD) in Makassar on Thursday.
The protesters also demanded that Transportation Regulation (Permenhub) No.32/2016 that limits the operation of online-based taxis could be re-enacted. The Supreme Court revoked Permenhub in August.
“We, the administrators of pete-pete [city public transportation], conventional taxis and motor-powered tricycles, locally known as becak motor [bentor], only want justice and equality. Passengers of conventional modes of transportation have now been taken over by online-based taxis and ojek,” said rally coordinator Ahmad Ando.
(Read also: Conventional taxi drivers stage rally in Makassar)
Drivers of Makassar conventional modes of public transportation have repeatedly rallied to protest the issuance of operational permits for app-based taxis. They said online taxis were free to operate in Makassar. The number of online taxis have continued to increase, causing a drastic decline in the number of passengers using conventional transportation.
“Before online taxis operated, bentor drivers could get a net income of around Rp 100,000 [US$7.39] per day. Now, they earn only a gross revenue of Rp 50,000, or even Rp 20,000 net. It’s not enough to cover basic needs of my wife and our six children,” said Guntur, 59, a bentor driver. (ebf)
