Buses
Bus is the main transportation between cities. I have
to warn you that some bus drivers drive like crazy and they are reckless. You
may have a heart attack riding on their buses. Buses are cheaper than trains
and they go more often. Also watch out for pick-pocket. Watch for your
belonging! Don't leave them unattended! Seriously!
During busy seasons, it is difficult to get into a
bus. You have to fight with the other passengers, just to get into the bus.
In some places, I heard buses are also nice. I heard
buses in Sumatra are like inter-city buses in North America. But I can't
confirm that.
There are a
large number bus (bis) companies servicing routes in Jakarta. Many of the
larger buses seat 25-40 people (depending on type of bus). The buses have set
prices (which should be posted on the bus). Bus companies include the
government-owned PPD and Damri, which provides service to the airport. Private
companies include Metro Mini. Some buses are air conditioned like Mayasari and
Patas AC; they are more expensive. Other bus lines are run by cooperatives like
Kopaja and Kopami. MetroMini are the oldest running since the 1980s and in the
most need of repair.
All buses have set routes and set
fares, but not set schedules. Students in uniform pay a lower rate - no matter
the distance. If you're not sure of the fare, ask other passengers what it is.
Pay the “conductor”, who is usually hanging out the back door. He won't have
change for big bills.
Buses are the most common transport
of the masses and many are in bad condition. There are less buses on the road
as the price of spare parts has caused companies to vandalize other buses in
their fleet and up to half of many of the fleets may not be roadworthy.
Bus passengers are often the target
for robberies, street singers, and beggars - both on the buses and in the major
bus terminals. Many bus drivers are notoriously dangerous as they race against
each other to try and pick up passengers before the other buses plying the same
route. Metro Mini has the worst reputation for poor drivers.
Buses do not necessarily stop at
bus stops; they stop wherever they can pick up a passenger be it in the middle
of the road or on a busy intersection. Buses do not necessarily come to a
complete stop for passengers to get off and on. So be careful as to which foot
you step off the bus with!
The beginning and end points of
each bus route are found on the front and back of each bus, along with a route
number. If you don't know which bus to take, just ask the people at the bus
stop and they'll tell you (helps if you speak Bahasa Indonesia, of
course).
Inter-city buses to other cities in
Java and Sumatra (bis antar kota) can be found at the biggest bus
stations - Pulau Gadung, Kampung Rambutan, Lebak Bulus, Blok M, and Kota.
Transjakarta buses offer a more modern version of the bus option for
transportation in Jakarta. Transjakarta began operating in January 2004, and is
an air conditioned bus which serves a particular route. It has it’s own
busway on the main thoroughfares, so it doesn’t get caught in traffic jams when
the roads are really busy. Transjakarta has 11 routes (www.transjakarta.co.id). The
ticket price is only Rp 3.500 (Jan. 2012).
Fare determination is by
bargaining. It's always best to ask an Indonesian what they would pay for a
trip to a particular destination from your point of departure, and then bargain
and pay accordingly.
