Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the ministry will extend the deadline for drivers, operators and providers of app-based transportation services to fulfill the requirements set out in Transportation Minister Regulation No. 108 on non-route public transportation.

Apps-based drivers protested at the ministry on Jan. 29 to demand a revision to the regulation, which includes a stipulation that such drivers must join a cooperative.

The deadline was initially set for Feb. 1, when police would start ticketing violators of the regulation, but the minister decided to postpone the crackdown after he met with 15 representatives of the protest at the ministry on Monday.

During the indefinite grace period after Feb. 1, officers from the ministry's land transportation directorate general would carry out a “sympathetic operation” to remind drivers to fulfill the requirements, but they would not ticket as yet non-compliant drivers.

Meanwhile, land transportation director general Budi Setiyadi said that during the 2.5-hour meeting between the minister and app-based drivers, the drivers requested a two-month extension to the deadline so that they could fulfill the requirements.

The minister also expressed his intention to speak with Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara and representatives of app-based transportation providers to discuss several issues the drivers had raised during Monday's protest.

Under regulation No. 108, drivers of app-based transportation services are required to attach a Transportation Ministry sticker on the windshield and rear window of their vehicle, to obtain a Type A driver's license for operating a public transportation vehicle, to join a cooperative, to set floor and ceiling prices and to operate in designated zones.

Their vehicles must also be equipped with meters and pass a roadworthiness test. (bbn)