Purwokerto, Central Java – Hundreds of taxi drivers grouped in the Kobata Taksi cooperative in Purwokerto to stage a rally Wednesday demanding fairness from Banyumas Transportation Office.

The protest, commenced at the city's old terminal and continued to the local Transportation Office, before it ended at the Banyumas Legislative Council building.

The protesters asked the office to set their routes fairly, especially following the opening of a new taxi company.

"The office and the local Land Transportation Organization (Organda) have never involved us in setting new routes for the new taxi," said protest organizer Yogi.

"This disadvantages us because the new taxi's tariff is cheaper. Satria Taksi has used cars, so it can lower its tariff. Passengers would automatically prefer Satria if both companies use the same route."

Banyumas Organda head Tanto denied his office had not invited Kobata Taksi to discuss the issue. Speaker of Commission B of the Banyumas legislature Bambang Pujiyanto told the protesters his office had yet to decide what their demand was, but that he would facilitate it.