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raveling around Jakarta for only Rp 3,500 (38 US cents) is doable on the Transjakarta busway network, the 11 corridors of which connect various parts of the city. But transferring between busway stops and corridors requires people to climb and walk on elevated bridges — the skywalks. Here are the five longest skywalks based on the travel time and the number of steps one has to take to reach the other side of the bridge:

Semanggi – Bendungan Hilir

JP/M.Rizqi ArifuddinThe bridge connecting the Semanggi busway stop in South Jakarta and Bendungan Hilir (Benhil) busway stop in Central Jakarta is the longest city skywalk. With a leisurely pace, it takes about 10 minutes for an adult to transfer between the busiest two shelters and takes more than 800 steps.

It has become a common sight to see people running along the skywalk in the morning.

“I have to run in order not to be late,” said Firda Sari, 25, who passes the Semanggi skywalk every day.

Standing next to the Semanggi cloverleaf, the bridge is a perfect spot to watch the traffic or take pictures.

Dukuh Atas 1 – 2

The skywalk connecting the Dukuh Atas 1 and 2 busway shelters used to be the longest skywalk.

It takes more than 4 minutes to pass along the skywalk above the busy Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta — or 450 steps.

During rush hour, commuters can be seen queuing on the skywalk to get the busway from Dukuh Atas 1 to take them to work along Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman.

Stasiun Jatinegara 2 – Pasar Jatinegara

The bridge that connects the busway stops at Jatinegara station and the Indonesian Gem Market is newly constructed, but has made it on to the list of the longest skywalks in the city. It takes about 400 steps or 4 minutes to transfer between the two shelters. However, to reach the skywalk, one has to walk for about 2 more minutes, or 300 additional steps.

The new corridor 11 plying Kampung Melayu — Pulogebang has attracted more travelers on to the Transjakarta system, including Firdaus, 29.

“I have to use this long skywalk every day. It’s not a problem for me, though. I consider it as exercise,” Firdaus said, who chose Transjakarta over his motorcycle to get to work in Kampung Melayu.

Cempaka Mas 2 – Cempaka Timur

People rarely pass this skywalk because it is not located in the center of the city. But, like the Semanggi-Benhil skywalk, people are also fond of taking pictures on the Cempaka Mas 2 – Cempaka Timur skywalk in Central Jakarta.

“I just wanted to take a picture here. I have no specific reason,” said Dian, 21, after her boyfriend took her picture with a backdrop of a shopping mall.

Other favorite backgrounds include the overpass next to the skywalk. To transfer between the corridors takes about 600 steps or a walk of 6 minutes.

Pramuka skywalk

The skywalk connecting the Pramuka BPKP and the Pemuda Pramuka busway shelters in East Jakarta has a deceptive appearance. Unlike other skywalks that are built in a long straight path, this bridge has six turns, making it look shorter than it is.

“It’s actually pretty far to transfer between the two corridors. The skywalk’s many turns conceal its true length,” said Andri, a Transjakarta official at the Pramuka BPKP shelter.

In fact, you have to spend about 4 minutes to transfer between the two corridors, or more than 350 steps. Many devoted Transjakarta users, like Simson Samuel, 26, do not mind the lengthy skywalk. “It’s rather tiring. But I’ve got used to it,” he said, adding that he had to transfer through three different corridors from his home in Kampung Makasar to get to his office in Pulo Gadung. — JP