Yuli Tri Suwarni and Theresia Sufa, Bandung/Bogor – Angry public bus and minivan owners in Bogor are planning to bill the government for losses incurred by United States President George W. Bush's visit to the city on Monday.
Chairman of the West Java Organization of Land Transportation Owners, Andriansyah, said 12 bus companies operating 240 city and intercity buses at the Baranangsiang terminal reported they had suffered Rp 600 million (US$65,217) in losses because of the two-day disruption to services caused by the terminal's closure on Sunday.
The company owners are demanding the government compensate them, he said. The terminal was back in operation Tuesday.
"Bus companies have already suffered huge losses with the mushrooming of travel operators and decreasing numbers of passengers. Now we have to suffer again because of a state guest," Andriansyah said in Bandung on Tuesday.
The loss was calculated based on average passenger numbers and a demand for compensation would be proposed to the transportation ministry soon, he said.
Andriansyah said the government should consider the impact of state visits on public transport operators before it holds such events in the future.
"The government shouldn't only think about the benefits, especially if (the event) is unlikely to bring benefits anyway. One thing is for sure, we're working here, so we should be supported." An average of 18,000 commuters a day leave from the bus terminal for Jakarta.
Tightened security and rerouting during Bush's visit led to widespread congestion in the city and 5,000 public minivans and buses did not operate Monday.
When transportation operators met officials before the visit they suggested buses operate from company terminals so they could avoid paying compensation, he said.
"But we weren't stupid, it's better for us not to operate. Who wanted to travel on Monday when all the roads were congested? Besides, not all passengers know where our terminals are."
Meanwhile, the management of the Bogor Botanical Gardens is demanding the government pay for repairs to its water catchment area since the two Rp 6 billion helipads built there to welcome Bush are no longer in use.
Head of the ex-situ conservation unit Sudjati Budi Susetyo said Tuesday the State Secretariat had promised to dismantle the helipads soon after Bush's visit on Monday.
"We don't need the helipads and our water plant collection in the area will need extra attention if we have to host every visiting head of state," Sudjati said. The helipads are becoming a popular attraction for visitors to the park, he said.
Bush's entourage did not land in the gardens next to the presidential palace but instead arrived at the Padjadjaran Sports Stadium and took a motorcade to the venue.