I live in Lebak Bulus, about 10 minutes walking distance from Lebak Bulus bus terminal in South Jakarta.
The terminal plies inter-city routes in Java, Bali and Sumatra, and also routes in Greater Jakarta.
Recently, I wanted to get my pension from the bank at Blok A, around 6 kilometers away from the terminal.
I left home for the bus stop at 9 a.m. I took an S-79 Metromini and paid Rp 2,000.
The seat was hard. The bus doors, windows and seats were old, and the engine was noisy. I wonder why such a bus is still operational.
“Blok M, Blok M, Blok M,” the bus crew shouted its destination, another big bus terminal in the municipality.
The bus stopped any time and anywhere it could pick up passengers. Passengers seemed not to care about where they should get on the bus. They stood at bus stops, sidewalks and on the street.
“This is very common,” a passenger sitting beside me said.
The bus pulled up somewhere in Pondok Indah. The driver got out to talk to friends.
It took more than 20 minutes. Then a new driver jumped behind the wheel.
I asked the passenger beside me why the driver changed.
The passenger beside me said again, “This is also common.
“Maybe, the first driver had to do something and the other one needed money.
Then, more passengers came aboard.
More and more arrived until there was no space to even stand.
“Sometimes, the driver transfers passengers to another bus for money.
“If they agree on a sum of money to exchange, the driver tells the passengers to transfer,” he said.
Suddenly, my experience of public buses in our neighboring country, Singapore, popped into my mind.
I spent time there on office duty.
Unlike Jakarta, no bus would stop if I did not wait at a bus stop.
Even, if I was only 10 meters away.
The system is effective and efficient there.
When I waited for a bus, it came within 5 minutes.
On board most buses, they were clean and well maintained.
Most seats were comfortable.
Finally, I reached my destination.
I told the bus crew to stop.
I got off in front of the bank located on the other side of the street to get my monthly pension fund.
“You are late, Pak. We were about to close,” the officer said.
“Yes, thanks for you kindness,” I replied, putting the money in my pocket.
I did not tell her why I thought she was kind.
I did not tell her the bus had stopped for more than 15 minutes.
I did not tell her the driver of my Metromini had changed during my short trip to the bank.
On the way home, I thought about the future of the Metromini and other city buses.
Will they continue to operate in that condition, or become worse before they perish.
One thing I know is that if they perish, I could not use the Metromini to get my pension fund again.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|