The faucets were designed to resemble a car’s dashboard, equipped with mirrors and windshields. They also feature foot pedals, resembling gas and brake pedals, to dispense soap and water.

“Transjakarta is a public transportation service that continuously serves passengers while applying strict health protocols,” said Angelina Betris, acting corporate secretary and public relations head of city-owned bus operator PT Transportasi Jakarta.

Angelina thanked the community for the donation, saying that the faucets helped achieve the goals the Jakarta administration’s campaign, which included hand-washing.

Honda Car Community representative Dadi Haryadi said in a statement, “We hope the wash basins can remind the public, particularly public transportation passengers, to always wash their hands and can also help people comply with health protocols."

Read also: Public transportation use in Greater Jakarta plummets during COVID-19 pandemic: BPTJ

The global COVID-19 pandemic has made some people reluctant to use public transportation out of fears of virus transmission, especially amid physical distancing policies and restrictions on passenger numbers.

According to a report compiled by the Transportation Ministry’s Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ), public transportation use in Greater Jakarta had declined sharply even before the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).

BPTJ head Polana B. Pramesti said in April that Jakarta in particular had instated various restrictions, including transportation restrictions, in March, when a significant decline in the number of public transportation users began.

“We have recently been very intensive in coordinating with transportation agencies throughout Greater Jakarta, and the result of their field monitoring has shown that ridership on public transportation has been decreasing,” Polana wrote in a statement.

In addition to the Honda Car Community, PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales (SIS), the brand holder of Suzuki in Indonesia, ran a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program to highlight health protocols.

On Oct. 23, the company distributed face masks and hand sanitizers to angkot (public minivan) drivers to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

PT SIS president director Seiji Itayama said angkot were mostly New Suzuki Carry vehicles and were among the highest contributors to Suzuki’s sales in Indonesia.

“We wanted to give [a token of] appreciation to angkot drivers,” said Itayama, as quoted by tempo.co.

He hoped that the hygiene products would increase passengers’ sense of security while riding angkot. (jes)