The DPR Asks For An Increase In General Transportation Tariffs, Don't Charge Citizens And Make Entrepreneurs Loss

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JAKARTA - The DPR asked the government to carefully calculate the amount of the increase in public transportation rates following the increase in fuel prices. The increase in public transport rates is expected not to burden the community, but also not to harm business actors.

"The accuracy of calculating public transport rates is needed so that the amount is considered fair, both for operators, business actors and the public using public transportation," said Chairman of Commission V of the DPR RI, Lasarus, Thursday, September 8.

Lasarus hopes that the increase in public transport rates will not be too low, but also not too high. For this reason, the assessment of the adjustment of the tariff for public transportation modes is considered to have to be done as well as possible.

"Don't let it be one-sided. It must be proportional," said Lasarus.

For online motorcycle taxis and inter-provincial City Transport (AKAP) for economic class, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has officially issued a tariff adjustment regulation. The increase in online motorcycle taxi rates throughout Indonesia is divided into three zones, an average of around 8 percent and will take effect on September 10.

Then the increase in AKAP costs is regulated based on the basic tariff, the upper and lower limit rates per kilometer which are different in number for each regional zone. Lasarus understands that tariff adjustments have not been able to satisfy all parties.

"It's like an ojol tariff whose increase may be considered too small. But the government's policy has certainly gone through the calculation of the cost of services components. Hopefully, ojol friends can understand," he said.

Meanwhile, for special rental transportation such as conventional taxis and online taxis, separate rules are needed and the authority rests with the Regional Government (Pemda). The same applies to the transportation of AKDP (inter-city in-provincial) economic class as well as urban and rural transportation.

"The local government must immediately provide and establish guidelines for adjusting the transportation mode tariff which is its authority," explained Lasarus.

"This is important so that the tariff adjustment has a benchmark, especially in some areas the operator of transportation services has started, many have increased the price of services quite drastically," added the legislator from the West Kalimantan II electoral district.

Furthermore, Lasarus asked the ranks of the Land Transport Organization (Organda) to maintain the conduciveness of their respective regions regarding the adjustment of transportation rates. He reminded that transportation tariff adjustments should be carried out in an orderly manner so that transportation services are not hampered.

We also have to think about the fate of drivers whose burden is getting heavier. Because not a few have complained about the increase in deposits from operators whose size is quite high, said Lasarus.

The House of Representatives Commission V in charge of transportation affairs also highlighted how the increase in fuel was felt in the increase in truck transportation costs, as well as transportation and logistics transportation costs. Lasarus hopes that all stakeholders will be involved in discussing the adjustment of transportation service rates.

Including the short-distance shipping sector, the tariff has been determined by the government. There must be a quick tariff adjustment so that shipping operators do not lose money," he explained.

"So we hope that all elements and policy makers can sit down together to discuss the adjustment of transportation service rates," continued Lasarus.

Lasarus realizes that an increase in fuel prices is needed considering the state budget burden that has exceeded the allocation of subsidies. Even so, he reminded that it is necessary to anticipate inflation in each region due to the increase in fuel prices.

Social bills for those who are directly affected by the increase in fuel prices also need to be realized immediately. BBM social assistance which is divided into several programs must quickly reach the community," he said.

Not only that, the DPR also hopes that the Government will consider providing fuel subsidies for public transportation. The fuel subsidy is said to help workers who depend on their livelihoods from the transportation sector.

And another important note is how the fuel subsidy is right on target and right on target. In order to prevent leakage of fuel subsidies, there must be strict supervision with a strict system. Only those who are entitled to receive fuel subsidies," concluded Lasarus.