Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo has threatened to revoke the operation permits of buses violating the upper limit of bus fares for Idul Fitri holiday makers.

"Buses violating the regulation of the transport minister on the upper limit of bus fares are liable to stern sanctions. They can have their operation permits revoked," he said when inspecting transport services at the Kampung Rambutan bus terminal in East Jakarta on Monday.

He was responding to a report that a Kuningan-bound bus, Putra Lurangung, raised its fare to Rp70,000, well above the upper limit of Rp43,000.

"Under the regulation of the transport minister the bus is only allowed to raise its fare to Rp43,000 at the most. But it is written Rp60,000 on the ticket. Some of the passengers said they bought the ticket for Rp70,000. This violates the regulation and cannot be tolerated," he said.

He said the bus must be seized and must not be allowed to serve passengers.

The governor was during the inspection visit accompanied by Chief of the East Jakarta Police Resort Snr. Comr. Saidal and East Jakarta Mayor Murdani.

By Saturday (Aug 27), the number of homeward travelers leaving the bus terminal reached 67,964, a 13 percent increase compared to three days ahead of Idul Fitri festivities in 2010, according to data from the bus terminal.

Head of the bus terminal D Basuki said to anticipate a surge in the number of passengers ahead of the festivities the bus terminal had prepared 17 extra buses.

(SYS/S012)

Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011