Samarinda - More than 500 ojek, or motorcycle taxis, have been recruited to ferry media workers and officials between venues at the National Games in East Kalimantan.
In Samarinda, which has three main venues -- Palaran, Sempaja and Segiri -- at least 130 ojek are at the ready to take journalists and officials from venue to venue.
Some people are even taking the motorcycle taxis to travel between venues in the Palaran sports compound, a sprawling area located in a hilly area outside the city. It is the venue for gymnastics, rock climbing, badminton, diving, motorcycling, athletics and soccer.
Although taxicabs are provided, most people prefer ojek when going to Sempaja, around a 45-minute drive from Palaran, because it allows them to beat the traffic as they make their way through the city.
The Sempaja complex is hosting the basketball, fencing and pencak silat competitions, as well as the athletes compound. Other sports held outside Palaran include soccer, men`s softball at the renovated Segiri stadium, kempo at a school building, tae kwon do at a local university and dance sport at Bumi Senyiur Hotel.
With the Games in full gear, ojek drivers are among the most popular people around.
"We have almost 100 trips every day," said an attendant at the service desk in front of the main media center.
Those seeking a ride register at the desk first, and an ojek, which shuttles in from near the gymnastics building opposite the media center, is paged.
"None yet," one motorcycle taxi driver, Andy, said when asked how many fares he had had for the day.
Andy said he applied to be an official ojek driver for the Games at the local military office two months back. Requirements had to be met, including a record of good conduct and all the necessary motorcycle documents and a valid driver`s license. The drivers, who come from two districts around Palaran, were required to be between 25 and 45 years of age.
The ojek started operating on July 4 and the service will continue through the end of the Games on July 18. Drivers receive Rp 150,000 per day. Meals and fuel are included.
Another driver, Firman, said Rp 150,000 a day was far more than he usually earned.
"I usually make Rp 70,000 a day, maximum," he said.
The drivers are supposed to be paid every three days. However, as of Tuesday, they had yet to receive their first payment.
"We haven`t gotten it. According to the contract, we should have been paid by now," Firman said. Musthofid
Source: http://old.thejakartapost.com (July 10, 2008)
