Jakartans will stand in line, when forced

It’s no secret that Jakartans, no matter how well-dressed or educated, will claw and bite their way to the head of the line to board a Transjakarta bus, which has been called the most sophisticated means of transportation in the city.

But when people have time and the buses come on schedule, the barbaric nature of Jakartans in public seems to lessen — with the help of watchful attendants.

On Thursday, one hour before noon, people stood in line at the Dukuh Atas shelter in Central Jakarta, waiting for buses to arrive.

Rose, a regular rider, said that people who used Transjakarta follow the rules because of nearby officers and attendants.

“Like it or not, people have to stand in line. Officers maintain the lines,” she said.

Rose added that it’s proof that some people could follow rules — even though passenger behavior on Transjakarta is not always the best.

Ranto, an attendant on a Transjakarta bus going from Ragunan, South Jakarta, to Dukuh Atas said that people were getting used to standing in line inside shelters and boarding buses in an orderly fashion.

“Officers often shout loudly to keep passengers in order. Sometimes other passengers do the same, advising other passengers to stop jostling,” he said.

The law-abiding nature of Jakartans is also evinced at taxi queues in front of malls and office buildings, though again, polite behavior only comes with the help of taxi attendants.

It was 2 p.m. at Semanggi Plaza mall in South Jakarta and people were rushing back to the office after lunch.

“Please step back, sir. This taxi is for the people already in line,” said an attendant.

The man then stepped back and went to the end of the line.

Two taxi companies shared two separate taxi lines at the mall. More than a dozen people stood in one line, while several others queued on another line.

Neni, a regular taxi passenger, said that most people are familiar with standing in line and were smart enough to join the queue.

“How can they cut the line? There are officers on guard and the system is okay — not to mention the other people in line would yell if there was violation,” she said.

Wawan, a Blue Bird taxi driver, said that taxi stands benefited both passengers and drivers.

“People are more orderly when boarding taxis and there’s no more tug-of-war between drivers,” he said, adding that both passengers and taxis had to wait in line.

“It took me about 15 minutes to wait [for a passenger] in line at Plaza Senayan,” he said, adding that sometimes people had to wait for a long time for taxis at taxi stands during rush hour.

Jakartans can be ignorant when it comes to rules. Slogans, banners and signs that ask the public to line up or to keep the city clean and smoke free are often ignored.

Poor enforcement and awareness are coupled with unfavorable living conditions turn city dwellers to into intolerant citizens, one expert said.

Urban sociologist Linda Damayanti said that people were not familiar with a law-abiding culture.

“The culture has to be built through a consistent, comprehensive system which enforces the law at every level of society, as well as providing for infrastructure and personnel.

“Once the system is established, people will learn fast,” she said.

But some people still enjoyed bad habits.

“I was standing in line for a taxi in front of the Grand Indonesia when a lady cut in front of me. The officer allowed it and gave the taxi to her,” said Lisa, a regular taxi rider.

She added that some people who look well-educated often still selfishly refused to follow rules. (ipa)