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Despite protests, it's business as usual for ride-hailing app drivers in Batam
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A driver from the popular ride-hailing application Gojek carries a passenger past the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in this file photo taken on Dec. 18, 2015. (thejakartapost.com/Wienda Parwitasari)
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everal drivers of online-based motorcycle taxis, or ojek, continued to operate on Wednesday in Batam despite the closing down of their offices by the Batam administration a day earlier.
Police personnel have been deployed to several locations to prevent clashes between online-based drivers and conventional drivers taking place.
Based on The Jakarta Post’s observations on Wednesday, dozens of police personnel were standing guard at Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam City, Riau Islands province. They were located in several spots around the parking lot where online-based taxis usually wait for their passengers.
The Batam transportation agency banned the operation of apps such as GoJek, Grab and Uber and sealed their offices, citing a lack of operational permits.
A GoJek driver named Barita said he would continue to work as the application remained functional.
“This is a side job that gives me a bigger income than my fixed job. So we regret that the [administration] banned our operations,” he said.
Since August, conventional drivers in West Sumatra and Batam have protested the existence of ride-hailing apps in their regions, accusing them of affecting their incomes.
The West Sumatra transportation agency also closed the Gojek office in Padang last month following protests from angkot, public minivan and taxi drivers in the city and Bukittinggi.
However, despite the opposition, business has continued as usual for Gojek drivers there. They opt to operate carefully and in a discreet fashion by not wearing their signature jackets to avoid conflicts with the conventional drivers.
