JAKARTA. Dozens of TransJakarta bus passengers were left abandoned at the Semanggi bus shelter, as the buses heading toward Grogol aborted operations amid fuel policy protests on Friday. Protests peaked ahead of the scheduled voting at the House of Representatives, on the government's plan to raise the fuel price on April 1.

Several passengers insisted that the TransJakarta employees should have told them earlier about the cancellation.

"The drivers and other employees should've told us since we began our trip from the Pinang Ranti bus stop [in East Jakarta]. Now, they are telling us that they cannot give back our money," said college student Dessi, 21, who said she was trying to visit her friends in Grogol.

Previously, a TransJakarta employee told The Jakarta Post that they did not have any choice, as the Slipi toll road gates were already closed by police officers.

However, the passengers dismissed the excuse. "The protesters will not hurt us," said Andri, 45.

Another passenger shouted at the bus employees, "Where do we have to go from here? You must take responsibility. Don't you see there are kids here?"

Several TransJakarta security officers tried to calm the passengers, reminding them of the emergency situation. (asa/TheJakartaPost)

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