RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – Online transport law demands intensified in Indonesia after hundreds of ride-hailing motorcycle and taxi drivers staged coordinated protests across Surabaya on Thursday, urging the government to immediately issue a national legal framework for online transportation services and raise driver fares by up to 20%.
Drivers affiliated with Gerakan Rakyat Transportasi Online Jawa Timur (GRANAT Jatim) gathered on Jalan Ahmad Yani before marching to several government offices, including the East Java Transportation Agency and the East Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD Jatim). Protesters argued that the absence of a national online transport law creates legal uncertainty for drivers and local regulators.
The demonstration highlighted growing frustration among app-based drivers who say existing regional regulations remain weak without formal national legislation governing the online transportation sector.
Drivers Demand National Online Transport Law
The protesters called on the central government to immediately enact an Online Transportation Law that would serve as the legal foundation for provincial and regional regulations across Indonesia.
According to demonstrators, current policies regulating ride-hailing services remain fragmented and inconsistent between regions, leaving drivers vulnerable to sudden policy changes and disputes over operational standards.
Representatives of GRANAT Jatim spoke outside the East Java DPRD building and stressed that online transportation services have become a critical part of Indonesia’s urban mobility system, while legal protections for drivers and operators remain insufficient.
The rally began at the East Java Transportation Agency office on Jalan Ahmad Yani in Surabaya before participants convoyed toward the provincial parliament complex under police escort. Police officers guarded the protest sites, managed traffic flow, and maintained public order during the demonstration.
Journalists at the scene reported that protesters carried demands focused on legal certainty, fair operational rules, and stronger government recognition of online transportation workers.
Drivers Also Push for 20% Fare Increase
In addition to legal reforms, drivers also demanded a fare increase of up to 20% for both two-wheel and four-wheel online transport services.
Protesters argued that rising operational costs, fuel expenses, and platform commission structures have significantly reduced driver earnings in recent years. Many drivers claimed that current fare systems no longer reflect the economic realities workers face in the sector.
The issue of fare adjustments has become increasingly sensitive in Indonesia’s ride-hailing industry, where drivers often depend on incentives and fluctuating platform algorithms to maintain stable income levels.
During the protest, demonstrators emphasized that higher tariffs are necessary to improve driver welfare and ensure sustainable earnings amid inflationary pressures and growing competition among online transportation providers.
The protesters also expanded their demonstrations to the East Java Kominfo office after leaving the initial gathering point. Convoys of motorcycles and cars traveled through several major roads in Surabaya during the coordinated action.
Legal Certainty Becomes Central Issue
The demand for a national online transport law reflects a broader debate in Indonesia over how digital transportation platforms should operate as the sector continues to expand rapidly.
Drivers argue that provincial governments often face limitations when issuing binding regulations because Indonesia still lacks an overarching national law governing online transportation operations. Protesters believe a formal national law would provide stronger legal certainty for drivers, companies, passengers, and local governments alike.
Analysts have previously noted that Indonesia’s online transportation ecosystem has evolved faster than its regulatory framework, creating recurring tensions over tariffs, worker protections, licensing, and platform accountability.
During the live broadcast coverage, reporters noted that protesters repeatedly emphasized the importance of legal clarity to prevent future regulatory confusion and protect the livelihoods of online drivers.
Police maintained security around the protest areas throughout the demonstration, while traffic disruptions affected several government offices in Surabaya as driver convoys moved between rally points.
The latest protest underscores mounting pressure on Indonesian authorities to establish comprehensive regulations for the country’s rapidly growing online transportation industry, as drivers continue to demand stronger legal protections and better economic conditions.