YUSUF WORLD

Bajaj - Transportation in Indonesia

2012-06-14T01:28:00.000+07:00

Bajaj

Bright orange and noisy ... easily describes a bajaj. These traditional transportation vehicles became popular in India where they were developed with Vespa and later imported to and built in Indonesia. Similar vehicles are known as rickshaw in Africa, Tuk-Tuk in Thailand and MotoTaxi in Peru. With an estimated 20,000 bajaj in Jakarta, it is evident they are very popular here too!

Bajaj seat two passengers comfortably and up to five passengers - depending on the size of the passenger of course. Their areas of operation are limited to one mayoralty in the city. On the side of the driver's doors you'll see a big circle in which the area is designated ... Jakarta Barat, Jakarta Pusat, etc., with a different color for each mayoralty. The drivers are not allowed to go out of their area and aren't allowed onto many main roads, so routes may be a bit circuitous.

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.

A ride in a bajaj is hot, utilizing "AC alam" - or nature's air conditioning. The ride will also be noisy, smelly (car and bus fumes), bumpy, harrowing, and a grand adventure. My favorite maneuver is when the bajajdriver decides to flip a u-turn in the middle of the road.

There is some protection from the rain, unless it's blowing hard. You'd think you'd have to be careful about robbery since the vehicle is so open - but it's not as common as robberies in buses. Having said all that ... bajajare extremely convenient in many areas of Jakarta for a short drive.
Te government has been trying to replace bajaj with kancil, a new 4-wheel transportation. Police sweeps in 2012 have been aimed at getting the older, non-licensed bajaj off the road.

Becak - Transportation in Indonesia

2012-06-14T01:12:00.001+07:00

Becak

If you come to Indonesia and wanna feel using becak as an accomodation, you have to know what price you have to pay. Usualy, becak transport cost about $1-$1.5/kilometer. It depend on the track. Since powered by muscle, flat track and incline track result on different amount of food the becak's driver consume. The driver also consider your weight. Kid pay less, sumo's probably pay double or forbiden.

Don't forget about muscle engine, since they are all men, sexy - pretty girl pay less also, or probably free (if i was the driver, for instance ^_^).

Becak were banned within the Jakarta city limits in 1994 due to their propensity to cause traffic jams. Former President Soeharto (and others) also wanted to eradicate becak from the city streets because they felt the work to be degrading to the drivers. Becak are widely missed by people who live in housing complexes off the main roads and small roads which are not serviced by bus routes - as their sheer numbers in the city prior to the crackdown attests to how widely they were used. It used to be a common site in Jakarta to see becak drivers taking children to school each morning, and women home from the pasar (traditional market).

However, you may still be able to find an occasional becak driver ignoring the ban in certain locations within the city limits. Outside city limits becak are still found at the junctions of main roads and smaller country lanes that don't have smaller bus routes. Models of becak are different in each city they are found in across Indonesia.

Becak fit two passengers comfortably and possibly even more, depending on the size of the passenger. There is some protection from the sun ... and a plastic sheet that comes down over the front helps protect passengers during rainstorms. Bargain before you get in ... ! And don't expect the driver to have change for large bills.

Ojek - Transportation in Indonesia

2012-06-14T00:30:00.001+07:00

Ojek

Motorcycle taxis are a very common, but unlicensed, form of transport in Indonesia. Commonly called ojek, they can be found in most areas of the country, from the towns where traffic jams sometimes greatly hinder other forms of transport to rural areas areas where four-wheeled vehicles cannot travel. Would-be passenger usually haggle with the driver over the fee which is generally around IDR 10,000 (about US$ 1) for short trips.

Many motorcycle taxi drivers own their vehicles or are paying installments for them through credit. The availability of cheap Indonesian-made motorcycles from Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki and some cheaper Chinese imports combined with the ease with which driver's licenses can be obtained and credit schemes has resulted in the rapid growth of motorcycle taxis. However, in several areas, the motorcycles used are often stolen ones without any papers.

Indonesian law requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets. However often only the driver does so. Sometimes drivers provide a helmet for the passenger but more likely drivers will simply avoid larger streets where police might catch the violation.

Nowadays, because of traffic, ojek are often the fastest form of transport, especially in Jakarta. Many people choose ojek rather than taxis because although taxies are much safer, ojek are cheaper can easily manoeuvre through the traffic.

Buses - Transportation in Indonesia

2012-06-13T03:55:00.001+07:00

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).

Trains - Transportation in Indonesia

2012-06-13T03:29:00.001+07:00

Trains

Most rail transport in Indonesia is located on the island of Java, which has two major rail lines that run the length of the island, as well as several connecting lines. The island of Sumatra has three (soon to be four) unconnected railway lines in the northernmost province ofAceh, North Sumatra (the area surrounding Medan), West Sumatra (Padang and its environs), and South Sumatra and Lampung.

Indonesia's railways are operated by the state-owned PT Kereta Api, and the newly formed PT Kereta Api Jabotabek, operating the commuter lines in the Jakarta metropolitan area. The infrastructure is state-owned, and the companies pay a fee for the usage of the railway lines.

Trains connect big cities. Some trains are dirty and are full with passengers. At the end of "Ramadhan" (the fasting month for Moslems), many people go back from big cities (such as Jakarta) to their villages where they came from (called "mudik"). At that time, people even hang outside the trains! Dangerous indeed.

Trains between Jakarta and Bandung (called the "Argo Parahyangan" train) is good and clean. I recommend this. Some of the coaches are air-conditioned (the executive class). It costs Rp. 45.000,- (for business class) and Rp. 60.000,- (for the executive class).

A commuter train (kereta api) runs several times daily from Bogor to Jakarta. These trains are quite simply furnished and often quite dirty. Scores of passengers brave the dangers and seat themselves atop the trains to avoid paying the fares.
Trains to other major cities on Java leave Jakarta from train stations at Gambir, Tanah Abang and Senin. Different classes of service are available, with the first class or executive class being quite comfortable. Some trains are bookable in advance. Trains are a good transportation option for inter-city travel on a budget. Information on train schedules can be found on the National Railways web site.

Transportation in Indonesia

2012-06-13T02:34:00.004+07:00

Transportation in Indonesia

The good thing about Indonesia is that many times you can walk to get to places. Unlike many cities in North America (like Los Angeles) which force you to drive, you can actually walk or take public transportation in Indonesia.

If you don't have to drive in Indonesia, don't. Indonesians drive on the left-side of the street, as oppose to the right(correct)-side. (Pun intended). Many streets are narrow. They are good for two cars, one in each direction, with only a few feet or inches between the two cars. Some people also park their cars on the street (no room for garage), making it more difficult to drive. On top of that, you have to be careful with motorcyclists, people walking (also jaywalking) on the streets, and public transportation cars or buses which stop and cut you in an unpredictable manner.

Public transportation includes:

trains
buses
taxis
"angkutan kota" (mini busses)
bajaj
"ojek" (motorcycle taxi). You'll ride on it.
traditional vehicles: "becak" (a three-wheel cycle thing, the driver paddle on the back), "delman" or "andong".

Public transportations are not convenient, but usable. It can take you from point A to point B reasonably.