JAKARTA - Public policy observer Agus Pambagio has spoken out regarding the issue of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) which plans to increase the tariff for electric rail (KRL) for the rich.
Agus said he had held a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation regarding this matter and there was no such statement.
"Yesterday, I had a meeting with the Minister of Transportation regarding several things. Well, when I asked about the Indonesian Commuter Train (KCI), "I (the Minister of Transportation) did not feel the talk and the recording was given either". So, I don't know from whom (the issue) there was a ticket from the rich and the poor," Agus said when contacted by VOI, Friday, December 30.
According to Agus, the statement from the Ministry of Transportation aims to provide services to the underprivileged.
He said the underprivileged community group actually referred to the list at the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).
"So, maybe like this, at that time, I asked, what does this mean, sir? So, this KRL will be increased, okay, 'how many tickets?' I don't know, but based on the latest research in the middle of this year that's the case," said Agus.
"Well, for the poor or underprivileged, such as students, students, seniors, of course they can get discounts or maybe not increased, meaning that the subsidy remains, like the current one. Those who can afford it, they have to pay more, because the subsidy is reduced so that it doesn't continue to increase," he added.
Agus said, if the government continues to provide subsidies to all KRL passengers, it is feared that the subsidy will not be on target and will only burden the budget.
"Because the formulation of subsidies provided by the government is per passenger, it is indeed dangerous, if it is a little, it is okay, 'if the passengers continue to rise, what?' the budget will break," he said.
Regarding the proposed increase in KRL rates through reducing subsidies, Agus explained, because PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) as a company that manages KRL is in need of funds for rejuvenation of trains.
"KCI must buy a new train because the 10 or 12 series next year must be thrown away, because it has finished its age and safety is not safe, so you have to buy it," he said.
However, regarding the mechanism and implementation of the policy of increasing KRL rates next year, Agus gave full authority to the Ministry of Transportation.
"I am as usual, I called the Minister of Transportation, I want to talk, but there is no decision regarding whether the increase in KRL rates will increase or not next year, I leave it to the ministry, but I give suggestions like that," he added.
Previously reported, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) ensured that the KRL tariff would not increase in 2023.
Even so, there is a change in the system, which the Ministry of Transportation will implement appropriate subsidies.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said the current KRL tariff will not increase next year.
However, for people whose economy is classified as capable, ticket prices will increase by the price of KRL services without subsidies.
"God willing, until 2023 it will not increase. But later use a card. So, what has been proposed is nothing, yes, (the financial capacity is high) must pay other (no subsidies). So, until 2023 we plan not to increase," Budi said in a press conference at the Ministry of Transportation's End of Year, 2022 Performance Achievements and Work Plans of the Ministry of Transportation 2023, Tuesday, December 27.
The KRL tariff is currently priced at IDR 3,000 for the first 25 kilometers. Meanwhile, the next 10 kilometer KRL continued tariff remains at IDR 1,000.
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