REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Hundreds of online taxi drivers held a rally in front of the Ministry of Transportation demanding a revocation of Transportation Ministerial Regulation No. 108 of 2017 (PM No.108/2017) on Public Transportation Service Without Fixed Routes. Chairman of the National Alliance of Online Taxi Drivers (Aliando) Babe Bowie stated on the sidelines of the rally in Jakarta on Monday that the requirements outlined in PM 108/2017 were viewed as being burdensome.

"The regulation requires (an online taxi driver to have cleared) a KIR (vehicle worthiness test), (drivers must have obtained) type A Public Driving License (SIM A Umum), and (fixed) stickers, which are all considered burdensome," Bowie explained.

Online taxi drivers stage a rally in front of Ministry of Transportation Building, Jakarta, Monday (Jan 29).

Bowie said the government had not accommodated Aliando's earlier proposal to revise PM 108/2017. "On Nov 25, we had held a rally, and later, we sought a revision, but they did not accommodate (our request). We are now rejecting PM 108/2017, as it only caters to the interests of one side," he pointed out.

Also read: Minister wants uniform tariff for online, conventional taxi services

If the request is not met, Bowie confirmed that his side will not hold a rally again next week.

Bowie remarked that a total of 500 demonstrators came from several regions, such as West Java, Garut, Bandung, Tasikmalaya, and Tegal.

A total of 500 demonstrators of online taxi drivers came from several regions, such as West Java, Garut, Bandung, Tasikmalaya, and Tegal  to protest the PM 108/2017 in front of Ministry of Transportation Building, Jakarta, Monday (Jan 29).

The Aliando chairman threatened to take similar action if app-based operators imposed sanctions on the rally's participants. "If the company prohibits, we will demonstrate against their applications. In February, we will demonstrate against the application company," he stated.

Director General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Budi Setiyadi asserted that PM 108/2017 has equally accommodated the interests of online and conventional taxi operators. He affirmed that the government had done everything to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

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