With the Jakarta administration now implementing its plan to phase out the city’s old, rickety public buses, Metro Mini buses, once known as “the king of the streets”, have been slowly disappearing, with people now able to enjoy a greater variety of public transportation options.

Only one Metro Mini bus could be seen waiting for passengers at the Pasar Minggu bus terminal in South Jakarta on Thursday morning, amid a crowd of angkot (public minivan) and Damri airport buses.

The driver of the faded yellow and blue Metro Mini bus, Ujang, 28, inspected the bus before departing. The low number of passengers no longer surprised him, as he knew the buses were in the crosshairs of the Jakarta
administration.

“We were given a 12-month deadline to replace our buses but with our current livelihood we don’t know if we can do it,” he said.

He recalled that back in the day, when operating the bus on the Pasar Minggu to Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, route he could net Rp 350,000 (US$25.09) a day back, but that nowadays he considered himself lucky to pocket Rp 200,000. Most days, he collects Rp 50,000.

A 2014 bylaw on public vehicles stipulates that only buses that have been in operation for less than 10 years are allowed on the city’s streets.

The regulation took effect a year after the bylaw was passed although a grace period and extensions were provided to give operators time to replace their old buses. However, nearly five years on, not all operators are on board.

Some operators like Kopaja and angkot operators have started replacing their buses and have joined the city’s Jak Lingko one flat fare scheme and integrated with city-owned bus operator PT Transjakarta.

“We’re not being terminated, but we’re being slowly killed off,” Darwis, 47, an owner of several Metro Mini buses, said.

He said the Jakarta Transportation Agency had conducted surprise raids and confiscated Metro Mini buses at terminals.

In their heyday, Metro Mini buses were known for their reckless drivers, who drove at high speeds and changed lanes erratically, resulting in a number of fatal crashes.

The slow disappearance of Metro Mini buses has been welcomed by the same commuters who used their services in past.

Made Indar, 33, last rode on a Metro Mini bus two years ago, and has since stopped using the buses, preferring to use online ride-hailing services instead.

“There are better and safer options for me now, Metro Mini buses are not my preferred choice anymore,” he said.

Cony Satya, 27, said she still sometimes rode in Metro Mini buses but only to go short distances. She said she now preferred to take Transjakarta buses after its network was expanded.

Jakarta Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda Jakarta) chairman Shafruhan Singungan claimed only 30 Metro Mini buses older than 10 years remained on the city’s streets.

This small number is a result of the Jakarta Transportation Agency’s efforts to confiscate old busses. He said that many individual owners were still reluctant to replace their old buses and to integrate with Transjakarta even though loan support was provided. Nevertheless, the Jakarta Transportation Agency has continued with its efforts to encourage Metro Mini bus operators to integrate with Transjakarta through the Jak Lingko scheme.

“It is natural for public transportation to be rejuvenated for the sake of the public. Around 460 Metro Mini buses are set to be integrated with Transjakarta, with several having already done so,” Jakarta Transportation Agency head Syafrin Liputo told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

He expressed hope that the integration would improve the connectivity of Jakarta’s public transportation modes, including the new MRT Jakarta and LRT Jakarta lines. (tru)