Budi Sugiharto/Fitri & GB, Surabaya – Surabaya bus terminal, the biggest terminal in Surabaya, capital of East Java, has been paralysed by a strike.
Bus drivers stopped work in protest at the public's increasing violence against them. Thousands of passengers have been trapped at the terminal since Sunday. By Monday the terminal was still quiet and Navy and Police sent 40 trucks to transport the stranded passengers.
As this news goes online, police were still attempting to transport the passengers. Surabaya Taman Police Chief, Commissioner Sudirman, said the police had asked PO Bus Kalisari and PO Bus Wigdi to transport the passengers. Each company sent out one bus.
The two busses came under tight security by the Mobile Brigade to anticipate possible unrest. In the meantime, Sidoaro Regent Win Hendarto, who came to inspect the terminal, asked the East Java local government to settle the problem.
The strike which began on Sunday morning was apparently a reaction to the death of a bus driver after being mobbed by members of the public. The drivers were apparently upset because the public is increasingly venting their anger by bashing bus drivers and burning busses when an accident occurs. In their action, they pleaded with the police to provide law enforcement and education to the public.
Residents living around the bus terminal took advantage on the chaotic situation by offering transportation services to the stranded passengers. No information is available on how much they charged for their services. Mini busses, which normally carry passengers only short distances, have also appeared. Normally, mini-bus are not allowed to operate at the terminal. According to a passenger, the mini-busses charged three times the normal price. "Between Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000, even if you go to Malang [a city located 100 km from Surabaya]" said a passenger.
Meanwhile, Sidoardjo Police Chief Adjutant High Commissioner Budi Susilo claimed they did not charge a penny from passengers. However, from observations at the terminal, passengers were quite happy to give ceh/West Papua