I don't know since when exactly the buses provided by particular ministries for their civil servants have been used by working people, particularly in Central Jakarta, as an alternative way to get to work.
They depart from certain points around Greater Jakarta and pass down the main thoroughfares, like Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin, where business activities are focused.
First, I didn't know people other than civil servants could take the bus as well. Based on a friend's recommendation and guidance, including the route and starting point, I tried one. Now I'm a regular commuter taking advantage of those ministry buses to get to work.
These buses are very useful for working people like me, when no train services from Bogor, Bintaro or Bekasi are available. The Trans-jakarta busway's planned operation is uncertain, with the terminal built two years ago at Pinang Ranti in East Jakarta (the closest to my home) still not in use.
Among the ministry buses operating in my area, my favorite is that from the Transportation Ministry (what else?), because it matches my schedule.
The bus leaves at 7:10 a.m. sharp, after waiting for civil servants and passengers. There are always seats available when the bus departs. On the way, it picks up passengers who for the most part are not civil servants.
Regulars don't have to flag the bus down, because the bus crew already know them. When all seats are taken, the conductor puts plastic stools along the aisle, so more people can sit.
Close to toll road entrance, the driver turns on the radio or the tape deck. He plays mostly new songs by famous boy bands or singers, and always renews his song collections. Besides ridding the driver of his boredom in the abysmal traffic jams, the music really entertains passengers. No need to bring an iPod, you can enjoy good music on board.
Some passengers start to get sleepy due to the long commute, and sometimes don't notice when the bus gets close to their stop. The conductor must then awake and remind them to get off soon. That's one of the benefits of taking a ministry bus: the conductor knows where each regular passenger gets off.
Also, the driving skills of the driver cannot be questioned. Two thumbs up for him! He drives fast, but safe.
If the buses don't run, it becomes a hassle for passengers, because the only option left is to take public transportation. And one thing is guaranteed: the buses are always overloaded in the morning. That's really uncomfortable.
Some passengers, like myself, have the driver's cell phone number. If we've missed the bus, we can ask him where he is, and catch up by ojek (motorcycle taxi). We can also contact him when we go home earlier. The bus departs from the Transportation Ministry office on Jl. Merdeka at around 3 p.m., so we can wait along Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman.
The departure schedule for each ministry bus is different. If I plan to get to the office earlier, I can take the Finance Ministry bus, which leaves at 6 a.m. And if I want to leave home later, I can still catch the TVRI or Information and Communications Ministry buses. Some have AC, while most don't. But they're still more convenient and there's less worry of pickpockets or molesters. The fares are also cheaper.
I had an unforgettable experience when I took a Defense Ministry bus from Jl. Thamrin to Taman Mini. The bus's final stop was the Indonesian Army headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. The only seat available was up front. When I was about to step forward, I was shocked to find a stack of weapons next to driver. To get the front seat, I had to jump over them.
"Don't worry, they're not loaded," the driver said.
I was relieved. I was worried that if they were loaded and I'd stepped on one, it may have gone off. It's actually a silly thought.
I find it odd each time I see the number of the bus's intended passengers - civil servants - far outnumbered by regular commuters. Of the 50 or so seats available, only a third are filled by civil servants.
This is most evident when the bus approaches Semanggi. One by one, the passengers get off. As it nears the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, the bus is half empty. And nearing Jl. Medan Merdeka, there are only around 10 people left. So where are all the civil servants?
- Retno I. Palupi
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