When the government first launched the busway program.I was not enthusiastic.Why? Well, because the route was only between Blok M and Stasiun Kota,and didn’t pass my house.Furthermore the main road became smaller as big portion of it was taken away for the busway routes.But when they finally built a busway route that passed my house,I was thrilled. I imagined that I would be able live like in a foreign country with great means of transportation. I imagined queuing for tickets in front of a counter,without being hassled by street musicians, sellers or beggars, and being in a fully air – conditioned and clean bus that isn’t overloaded with passengers.In other words,I imagined it would feel like heaven.Well,heaven in a bus,to be exact.
So,on the first day the route was operational,I excitedly went to have a try.First, I had to take the trans
There were a lot of people lining up to get on the bus. I sighed to my self. How stupid was I, thingking that I’d be the only person on earth to use this public transportation? I could not just leave the terminal to find other transportation,as that would mean that I would have to walk several miles.So,there I was,determined to stick with my plan.Besides, I was curious. How long would these people remain calm and still able to stand in line?Apparently,not as long as I imagined.
But the bright side of it is that this is exactly the place for you to see with your own eyes,how people,regardless of their education,social status,gender,position – will cheat,lie,push and even snap at others so that they can get on a bus.
Once you manage to enter the bus,it doesn’t that things are going to get any better.There are only a few seats,so in no time you see many people standing up in this teeny-weeny space.You can’t move at all.But amazingly,every time the bus stops at a terminal,dozens of people rush in to get on the bus.It is like you being hit by a tsunami that immediately fills up the not-so-empty space inside the bus.
The torture doesn’t stop there.Trying to get out is another problem.Passengers that have arrived to their destination have to move pass the crowd that can’t move due to the limited space.Ouch!
After I finally got out of the bus that particular day,I kept thinking to myself,what’s the difference between the trans
Does the necessity to queue before getting on the bus mean everyone will do so without hesitation?Not from my observation.people tend to find other ways around whenever they see that they is a long queue in front of them.They will pretend that they are just passing by to exit door or (this one is the top of the pop reasons)saying in such surprised tone that they did not see any queue!So,it is pretty much the same with getting on to the regular bus,right?
By using the trans Jakarta bus.we will reach our destination sooner.Yeah,that might happen if no other vehicles entered he busway.Or the buses came every fifteen minutes instead of every thirty or even almost an hour.Come to think of it,I have spent more time waiting rather than being on the actual bus.My dream of getting home earlier will apparently continue to be just a dream.
By using the trans Jakarta bus,people will become civilized.This is true,when you get on the bus at midday or very early in the morning.If you get on the trans Jakarta during rush hour,then everything is just exactly the same as with regular buses.You get pinched in a corner of the bus,people will push you to get a better seat (or place to stand),you got snapped at when trying to advise someone to stay in the queue,you end up meeting many ignorant people who care about nothing other than getting home sooner (as if other people do not have to) … Hmm,funny… it seems there are no significant differences after all,right?
I have also noticed that using this bus service has pushed my nerves to breaking point,that my feet get swollen from standing too long while waiting for the bus,and last but no least,I have begun developing muscles in my upper arms as use them a lot to grab on to something just to keep my body standing in the middles of other passengers.Now,I hardly see what comforts are to be found in using the Trans Jakarta bus.
For all the above reasons, I hereby declare that the trans Jakarta bus is no better than regular buses.I have happily moved out from the busway community and am now back using the regular bus.Perhaps because deep down I know that by using the regular buses I should not expect much.And by doing that,I can avoid the depression and disappointment when my hopes are not fulfilled.i can stand with other smelly sweating passengers.I can listen to the street musicians or buy from vendors;who knows,I might get something that I like.I can stay alert all time to the danger of pick-pockets.At least I will have many options;if one bus does not come,there are still others to be used.Also,there is the perk of natural air rather than the recycled air of air conditioning;that is if the sitting passengers would so kindly open the windows.Plus,enjoying the bus races between two buses with the same destination code number.And the extra bonus,if I am lucky;I am able to get home earlier!What more could I ever ask?
