Jakarta – Hundreds of Bandung's public minivan drivers serving passengers on the Cicadas-Cibiru route went on strike again Thursday morning to protest against the new Trans Metro Bandung (TMB), which was launched on the same day.

The drivers parked their minivans near the TMB launching site in Cibiru and also in front of the local General Elections Commission (KPU).

Bandung administration had delayed the planned launch of the busway last year following violent protests by hundreds of bus drivers who claimed the TMB threatened their already dwindling income.

On Wednesday, Bandung deputy mayor, Ayi Vivanand said that the administration had spoken with local bus cooperatives and had reached a consensus on the launch.

East Bandung Police chief Martinus Sitompul told tempointeraktif.com that the protesting drivers were not aware of the consensus. The police have deployed around 1,000 personnel to guard the launch.

Trans Metro Bandung is a proposed public transportation service similar to Jakarta's TransJakarta busway. Trans Metro is scheduled to commence operation along Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, the Cibiru Circle and Cibeureum routes.