Coronavirus Emergency, Online Taxis See Substantial Income Drop

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government’s social distancing protocol introduced last week in combat against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has directly affected business sectors that rely on people’s mobility, one of which is the online taxi service, popularly known as ojek online.

The financial impact to this industry was voiced by the two-wheel action association (Garda) chairman Igun Wicaksono, stating that the social distancing policy, which urges people to work from home, has significantly reduced drivers’ income. 

”From the normal income of Rp200,000 daily, it is now down to just Rp60,000,” said Wicaksono on Monday.

Despite orders in the food and items delivery that remain, he says that the demand for those is not enough to fulfill the losses from ride-hailing services as generally online motorcycle taxi drivers rely on taxi services. 

He also mentioned that the association plans to voice these concerns to the government and app-makers and request for leeway in terms of drivers’ installments to the ride-hailing app companies. 

The financial hit was also echoed by the online drivers’ association Wiwit Sudarsono who also revealed that online taxicompanies have yet fully-realized their promises to provide its drivers with essential personal sanitary items such as face masks and hand sanitizers to protect from the coronavirus. 

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