Jakarta – Stranding passengers, hundreds of bus drivers in Jakarta went on strike Thursday to protest against corruption and demand higher salaries.

The drivers have long complained about corruption in the state Jakarta Transportation Co. Emboldened by democratic reforms in the wake of the ouster of President Suharto last month, they again pressed their demands for an overhaul of company management.

A company official, I Made Gede, said bus drivers had pledged to restart service Friday after the management promised them a 15% salary increase.

The purchasing power of salaries has been shrinking as Indonesia suffers its worst economic crisis in decades. The rupiah has lost more than 70% of its value since last year and prices of basic commodities are soaring.