The Government Distinguishes KRL Tariffs For The Rich And Poor, YLKI: Absurd Ideas

Chairman of the YLKI Management Tulus Abadi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has spoken about the plan to adjust the scheme for providing subsidies for the Electric Rail Train (KRL) tariff.

YLKI assessed that the plan was an absurd or strange idea.

Chairman of the YLKI Management, Tulus Abadi, admitted that this plan will be difficult to implement.

The reason is, people have to pay at different rates but ride the same train.

"So the discourse on distinguishing KRL rates on the basis of the socio-economic status of KRL passengers is a absurd idea," he told reporters, Thursday, December 29.

According to Tulus, subsidies for public transportation, especially mass public transportation such as KRL, are the most targeted subsidies. Therefore, he also mentioned the plan for subsidies of electric vehicles.

"If the subsidy at the KRL rate is not said to be on target, then what do you want to call the subsidy of Rp. 80 million for electric car users?" he said.

According to Tulus, the government should be grateful to the public for choosing public transportation.

Especially for those who tie because they have left their car and switched to public transportation, either KRL or Transjakarta.

"Which means, they have contributed to reducing congestion, pollution, traffic risk and even reducing fuel subsidies themselves," he said.

It is known, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) ensures that the KRL tariff will not increase in 2023.

Even so, there is a change in the system where the Ministry of Transportation will apply appropriate subsidies.

"God willing, until 2023 it will not increase. But, later use a card. So what has been proposed is nothing, (the financial capacity is high) you have to pay other (no subsidies). So until 2023 we plan not to increase," said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi in a press conference at the end of the Ministry of Transportation's Year, 2022 Performance Achievements and Work Plans of the Ministry of Transportation 2023, Tuesday, December 27.