Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Banten

State port operator PT Angkutan Sungai Danau dan Penyebrangan (ASDP) in Merak will apply new fares on its Merak-Bakauheni route from Jan. 1 next year.

PT ASDP operational manager Endi Juhanedi said tickets for adult passengers would increase from Rp 9,000 to Rp 10,000, while children's tickets would increase from Rp 5,000 to Rp 5,500.

For vehicles, ticket prices will vary depending on their type, size and weight (see table).

Togar Napitupulu, the chairman of the River, Lake and Crossing Transportation Association (Gapsdag), said ticket prices would be 10 to 15 percent higher on average.

He said the fare increase was just a minor "adjustment" and would not affect customers greatly.

However, Saut Sinaga, a bus driver serving the Jakarta-Medan route, said the increase in ticket prices was not necessary and would burden passengers.

"Some bus companies traveling between Java and Sumatra have had to cease operating due to high operational costs coupled with decreasing passenger numbers. I believe the new crossing fares will accelerate the death of the bus companies still traveling between the islands," he said.

He said bus and truck drivers had no choice but to use ferry services to cross the Sunda strait from Java to Sumatra.

Bujang Palala, a truck driver from West Sumatra, said he hoped the fare increase would enable PT ASDP to improve its services, as drivers were tired of waiting for ferries to depart.

Type Vehicle New fare Old fare
I Motorcycle (small) Rp 17,000 Rp 16,000
II Motorcycle (large) Rp 27,000 Rp 23,000
III Car Rp 72,000 Rp 70,000
III Minibus (commercial) Rp 180,000 Rp 160,000
IV Small truck Rp 165,000 Rp 155,000
V Bus (medium) Rp 350,000 Rp 332,000
V Truck (medium) Rp 290,000 Rp 242,000
VI Bus (large) Rp 585,000 Rp 522,000
VI Truck (large) Rp 405,000 Rp 343,000
VII Container (medium) Rp 640,000 Rp 610,000
VIII Container (large) Rp 950,000 Rp 810,000