The Importance of Motorcycle Taxi Transport of Agricultural Products and Operator Income in Indonesia

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this research is to analyze the operator profile, operational transportation profile and operational costs, as well as the additional income of the operator. Background: South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is known as the city of rice or rice granaries with extensive agricultural areas or rice fields, but road infrastructure is still limited, and there are still many unconnected road networks and the absence of fast, cheap and efficient modes of transportation for agricultural products that can operate. In addition, the level of education and skills of the community is low; limited employment opportunities cause unemployment. Therefore, farming communities create jobs by modifying their two-wheeled motorcycle and becoming operators of motorcycle taxis transporting agricultural products as a livelihood to earn additional income. Objective: The object of the study is motorcycle taxis operator as a means of transporting agricultural products operating in the Sidenreng Rappang Regency, with a very large agricultural area. Methods: The interview survey is conducted on motorcycle taxi operators. A total of 227 operator respondents were surveyed randomly using a survey form that had been previously designed and tested. Primary data is collected through interview surveys which are analyzed and described. Results and Discussion: The results of the study show that the majority of operators have a relatively low education profile, 96% with an education level below high school, 99% working as an operator is a side job, 100% of taxi motorcycles are owned by themselves, the time spent per motorcycle taxi transporting to the destination on average between 100 – 200 minutes per 1,000 – 3,000 kg, operating time used per day is 98% less than 5 hours, operator operating costs per day on average IDR30,600 (equivalent to US$2.1/day), provide additional income per day of IDR173,400 (equivalent to US$12/day) or month between IDR3,500,000 – IDR4,500,000 (equivalent to US$ 241 – US$ 310/month). Conclusion: Motorcycle taxis are one of the solutions for transporting agricultural products in this region and created additional jobs become operators to increase income.