Public Transportation Businesses Can Roll Mats Due To COVID-19

Homecoming illustration. (Photo: Ministry of PUPR)

JAKARTA - The public transportation business is one of the most losers due to the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19. They are forced to be unable to operate due to the impact of government policies such as the recommendation not to leave the house and prohibition on going home.

Transportation observer from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), Djoko Setijowarno, is worried that the public transportation business sector will not be safe to resume operations after the COVID-19 pandemic period ends.

Based on data compiled by MTI, until the end of March 2020, bus passengers throughout Indonesia experienced a decline in departures of 19.57 percent. Moreover, after there was a ban on going home, the number of passengers decreased drastically.

The decline in passenger numbers, said Djoko, had an impact on layoffs (PHK) of workers in the field of public transportation, especially intercity-inter-provincial buses (AKAP) and tourism buses.

"In total, there are 6,328 public transportation workers from AKAP bus companies and tourist buses who have been laid off since the COVID-19 outbreak was announced in Indonesia," Djoko said when confirmed by VOI, Monday, April 27.

The decline also occurred in air transport. Based on data taken from 50 airports from March to April 15 2020, domestic passengers decreased by 72.48 percent, while international passengers decreased by 98.95 percent.

The same thing also happened to ferry transportation. Data at 7 ferry ports as of April 15, namely Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, Sheet, Batam, Bitung and Kayangan, shows a decrease of 23 per cent of pedestrians and 13 percent of vehicles.

"Meanwhile, for sea transportation, during April 1 to 15, 2020, there was a 76 percent decrease in the same period in 2019," said Djoko.

Djoko considers that the government needs to save the public transportation business world so that it can survive to resume operations after normal conditions.

"There are policies in the form of incentives as a stimulus that can be given to transportation companies," said Djoko.

Djoko said, in general, the government can provide relaxation for the payment of loan obligations for vehicle ownership of creditors of transportation organizations, proposing restructuring of bank loan installments, postponing tax collection, exempting BPJS contributions, and direct cash assistance (BLT) to employees.

Then, specifically for land transportation, the government can exempt toll payments for yellow plate public transport. For goods transportation, relaxation of principal loan repayments can be done for 12 months, either investment credit through banks or leasing.

For ferry transportation, there needs to be a dispensation for PNBP exemption from the field of ferry transportation and PNBP exemption from permits in the field of ferry transportation. Then, in rail transport, there needs to be an amendment to the public service obligation (PSO) contract and an adjustment to the fine factor in the implementation of pioneer trains.

For sea transportation, the government can reduce PPh and VAT on the shipping industry, and delay credit repayments to the shipyard industry.

For air transportation, there needs to be a stimulus for flight equipment calibration and PJP4U costs during April to December 2020, then postponement of deposit fees and avtur cost discounts from PT Pertamina.

Furthermore, Djoko suggested that public transportation company workers could be involved in distributing basic foodstuffs to a number of residents who needed them.

"To send groceries to poor citizens, the government should not only cooperate with PT Pos Indonesia and transportation application companies. Also invite Organda to send the groceries, so that public transportation companies do not get worse," he added.