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ompetition among private van shuttle services operating between Jakarta and Bandung, West Java, has been increasing of late owing to an increasing market share of the route amid a lack of credible competition from other transportation modes.

The private shuttle business exploded following the opening of the 41-kilometer-long Cikampek-Purwakarta-Padalarang (Cipularang) toll road in 2005, which connects Jakarta and Bandung. The new road has reduced car travel time between the cities to about two hours from five hours previously.

Mario Marulian Saragih, 19, said he often used the shuttle service to travel between the cities.

“It is faster and more comfortable than other modes of transportations,” he said.

“Besides, there is a discount for university students,” said Mario, a student of Padjadjaran University’s School of Law in Bandung.

The flourishing shuttle service has grabbed a large market share of transportation services operating routes between the cities, forcing the closure last year of the previously famous Parahyangan train service, which for 40 years operated the same route.

Ikbal, 28, an employee of Day Trans’ shuttle service’s office in Central Jakarta, said the shuttle price for regular passengers was Rp 70,000 (US$8.05); Rp 60,000 for students and Rp 50,000 for senior citizens and children under 12.

Day Trans, Xtrans and Cipaganti, all well-known shuttle operators, all have offices on Jl. Blora, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Abdul Hakim, 38, a civil servant, who wished to travel to Bandung for a job training course, spoke to Xtrans and Cipaganti before finally choosing to travel with the former.

“I choose [Xtrans] because it has a stop that is closer to my training venue,” he said.

Rosalia Virgio, 32, another shuttle passenger said the shuttle services brought her closer to her destination than other modes of transportation.

“Besides that, it is also punctual,” Rosalia said while waiting for a Cipaganti car at their office in Central Jakarta.

“This kind of transportation service offers passengers many options — for the cars, seats, and departure times.”

Each company’s shuttle vans travel directly between their respective ticket offices in the two cities.

Tight competition has increased standards among the operators, and many now guarantee that their services will depart with a minimum of just one passenger.

Satrio Anindito, 23, who was preparing to leave for a company event in Bandung, said, “I choose this kind of transportation because it takes less time.”

Satrio, who has frequently used shuttle services to travel between the cities since he was a student at Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, said the shuttle companies offered drinks and snacks, which was another bonus. (aaa)