Traffic regulations

Yesterday morning I went to one of the malls here in Jakarta by taxi. I was in a hurry at that time…. Hahaha, look at me…in a rush to go to the mall. Anyway, after stated my destination I also asked the driver to use a certain road in order to get me to the mall sooner. Rather than circling around another street. While I was talking the driver start to look at the watch.


“It is 10.00 o’clock now, so we will be able to pass that road,” I tried to calm the driver.

“Yes Ma’am, but it was only few minutes past 10.00,” said the driver. “I just worried that my watch and yours and police are all have different time...”

I was like…oh dear…he is right. If the police’s watch shown few minutes to 10.00 o’clock and we keep on passing that road then we will be successfully become a sitting duck. Then what should we do?

“Okay then, let’s have this way,” finally I tried to give a suggestion to the driver. “We just go through that road while watching the surrounding. If there is another car on that road we will follow… If not, then let’s go through another street…”

The driver agreed. Beside we still need to stop before few red lights. Surely it would be few minutes past 10.00 o’clock when we get there.

So, with pounding heart we looked both on right and left looking for partner in crime to pass that street. And it turn out, a car and this taxi both passed with flying colors through that street. Hhhh….


Sometimes people often feel that well I am the passenger. So, I am the king and the driver must know traffic regulations, shorter road and not bumping into traffic jam. Well, can’t really blame yo to feel that way. After all, you are the one who pays. However, there is nothing wrong to have knowledge for ourselves. Sometimes, there a certain road that can not be passed in the morning. Only from this time until that time then people allowed to go through that road. Who knows one day we will be the one who is driving our own car. Certainly it would be better if we also familiar with the road and rules, right?


Well, anyway…just a thought…

Ehm, now I really do want to excuse myself as I won't be seeing you until next year :)

So, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it and happy holidays to those who doesn't (though Christmas is on Saturday...sighed)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you 

Busway corridor

Previously I read in Jakarta Globe about busway corridor that will link at least 9 malls, 6 universities and 8 hospitals. To be certain you may want to visit the website...

Hahahaha, what a coincidence as a few weeks ago I took photos of these loooong busway corridor located near Plaza Semanggi...and I was thinking what these corridor become in the future?

Wow, how exciting if there is a busway corridor go straight to the mall ;)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

These are photos taken while I was taking busway...

The words on this picture advising people to have dignity by giving the seats to those who need them more... RIGHT... Good advice though...

The other photo shown ID number on busway with phone number if necessary : 021 7228727
There are also requests to not smoke, to prioritize those disable people, elderly and pregnant women. Other rules also forbid people to eat and drink inside the bus. And last rule stated that maximum speed must not exceeded 50 Km per hour... (but who's looking?)

p.s.
Psssst, today is MOTHER's Day... Don't forget to honor your mother by giving seats to elderly and pregnant women on the bus :)

Street singer

Just like to post these pictures of street singers on the bus:

Singing on the bus while babysitting

 Me and my guitar

 Singing solo

 Blind singer with his tools

Photos out of nothing to do...

Last night Indonesia won against Philippines 1 : 0! Yayyyy.... Hahahahaha, I am soo out of topic... But anyway, I have been home ever since 5 PM to avoid traffic jam. Therefore I was unable to give you any report about the traffic... Obviously traffic jam for sure. But at the least no riots as our team has won...

So today I just posted pictures that I have taken when I was on busway

There are three colors that differentiate all busways in Jakarta (well, at least so far that I know of) :

Do you remember my previous post about article from DETIK that suggested passengers not to huddle around at one space? The below picture shown us that people prefer to stand near the door (which are on the right side and left side). This picture was taken during not so crowded moment.

This photo shown several people about to get off from busway. If the busway has two doors then passengers who about to get on the bus could take the front door. While those who about to get off the bus would take the back door. However, if the busway only has one door, they will let those who are about to get off first. After ensure the passenger get off from the bus then the busway officials let those who are about to get in. So there are no bumping accident where those who wants to get in just push everybody who are about to get out.

Tips from Detik.com

This picture was taken in one of the bus stop for busway. The title is 5 Comfy Tips using Trans Jakarta from Detik 

1. Queuing in orderly. Follow the official's instruction
Yeah, right. I am not so sure people will do this during peak hours. Can't say I promise to do so either... If people already panic because they are late or just simply loves being in the rush..., getting comfy is at the bottom of life's priorities. The most important is to get to the destination sooner and if necessary just push anything or anyone that stands in the way.


2. Careful when you get on and off the bus
You really need to pay attention on this matter as it is dangerous to just walk like that. The space from the busway to the bus stop could take about 20 cm... If you are not careful, you could fall in between.

3. Don't huddle together, disperse to the empty are of the bus
The problem is, all of the passengers were thinking about the same thing. They want to be near the door as most of them will be getting off the bus shortly. Why would they be far away in the back when they are about to reach the destination within 2 bus stops?

4. Get use to remember time, destination and bus number that you are about to get on.
It is very important to remember your destination as you need that to decide which bus you will take. You can't take bus to the north while you are actually heading to south, right?
To remember the time...I think that is a bit tricky... I do not think I ever remember regular buses and busways able to arrive at the same time daily. If they manage to arrive within five minutes difference is a bonus already!
TO remember the bus number... I kinda confuse, is this mean for regular buses? I don't think busway has number to indentify their destination. They do have Identity number and I don't think this will be useful to inform us about the destination...

5. Report immediately to the officials if you have any security disturbance
I once in the busway where a passenger report to the official that he has been mugged. Immediately the officials told the driver to just go straight to the last bus stop. Naturally, innocent passengers were annoyed by this as they need to get off at another bus stop. TO make the matter worst, their bags were searched when they get off from the busway. Obviously these are useless when the pickpocket already escape and the passenger realizing this too late.

Annoying drivers

A friend of mine told me about her ridiculous encounter with taxi driver. So, the taxi that she took stop at the very near railway. If a train with full speed passing that railway the taxi will surely get drag successfully. Seeing that the train is not able to be seen yet though the siren has been wailing she then told the driver to step on it. It is a lot better than just be a sitting duck waiting for the train. And to that, the driver simply gave response,”Oh, so we should just step on it? Well, I do not want to put my passenger in any danger…”
Dear driver, it is a good thing that you do not wish to endangered your passenger. However if you decided to stop your vehicle in a dangerous position then that will be the same you invite that danger to you and your passenger as well.

I told I had it worst. My worst experience was when I have to keep on polite conversation to a very harassing mikrolet’s driver. I was sitting near him and at first the driver just start with a simple conversation probably just to pass the time. But soon enough, his manner changed and he became rude and it really drove me crazy. But, since I was being super stingy instead getting off from the mikrolet I decided to keep on stay there. Then we have to pass this railway and he keep on with his engine even if the siren has been wailing to alert all of us. I asked him to just wait until the train passed us by. You know what he said to me?
“Why? Afraid of dying are you? You are a sinner? Well, I am not… That’s why I am not afraid of dying…”

Please… If you are so into dying on the spot, then you go right ahead and don’t take us with you… What an annoying driver!

Hang on to your dear life...

One of the most basic things when you are on the bus... Hang on to anything near you for your dear life... Otherwise, prepare yourself to get thrown away or fall if the driver hit the brake or start the engine...

Not a match...

Busway and public holiday? Definitely not a match made in heaven…

Previously I heard a promotion that we can traveling around Jakarta using busway and you only need to pay once. The promotion is not a hoax. THAT if you are the only person in Jakarta who wants to ride around the town using busway.

Two years ago my cousin from out of town visited me and my parents here in Jakarta. Since my parents both just have been released from the hospital due to their illness we hardly take him to go anywhere… So, thinking to make it fun for his staying here in Jakarta, it crossed my mind to take him ride around the town using busway. During that time my niece and my nephew were also staying with us during their school's holiday. I thought, well this would be a good chance to bring them traveling around Jakarta. And surely we would not bumping to office workers. It would be fun to take them all using busway. That was my consideration.

On the first day of Lebaran’s holiday I asked my cousin and niece and nephew to go to the nearest bus stop for busway. They were obviously excited as they have never used a busway before. However when we arrived at the bus stop I stunned to see that there were so many people there. And when we finally got on the busway, it was totally crowded with people. Not only that we have to stand all the way our journey but also we have to sneak up here and there just to find a spot to stand. Oh nooo, I was worried. Perhaps because we were late?

And when we arrived at the bus stop for transit between busways there were more passengers there… Most of them were heading to places like beaches, fun park and zoo. Yeah, it is holiday now and children were enjoying their free days. This would meant that my plan to take them to those places surely going to be ruined. Finally I decided to change the destination spot and continue our journey. We stop at the next transit bus stop. And there, crowded passengers scattered around the place. My plan totally blown away. First of all, I was a bit scare that I would get separated with my niece and nephew. Second, what's the fun of waiting the busway for ages, not to mention the heat, and risk to get stomped by other people when trying to get on the busway? Probably if there were only me and my cousin I would get on with the plan. So, at the least he would learn how is the situation when people trying to get on the bus beating the crowd.

Later I learned that yeah many Jakartan escape the city to another city or even countries during the public holiday. But that does not mean make Jakarta automatically abandon and quiet. As many people who live in another city but still near Jakarta are starting to come during the holiday. Obviously most of them have the same intention as mine to travel around Jakarta with only pay the fare once. Though for that they have to be ready to queuing for the longest time ever. Sweating all over the place. Having risk to get mug by pickpockets. Or get stomped when trying to get on the busway in the middle of crowded passengers. My intention was definitely not as strong as them.

So for you all my friends who wants to try have a go to travel around Jakarta using busway during national public holiday…good luck. All I can say, get ready for everything. As Jakarta is not going to be as empty as we think it will be. Regular buses may not being occupied by many passengers. Unfortunately not with busways.

Suck it up...

Excusing myself...

Dear all...,
During this December I will write only once a week... Will write again three times a week starting January 2011...

But I do hope you keep on reading :)

You want to drive or you want to chat?

My friend sent me news about the police started to apply fine amounting IDR 750,000 to all drivers who busy with their handphone and therefore distracted while driving.

picture taken from http://news.okezone.com/read/2010/12/02/338/399216/sanksi-tilang-pengemudi-pakai-hp-digenjot

Yeah, it is annoying to see how people really into their handphone at anywhere without realizing the situation around them. Let us think about it, how in the heck the driver able to concentrate while driving if one of his or her hands busy with the handphone? I humbly think that using handsfree will give the same result... As the driver would surely more concentrate on the conversation rather than pay attention to the road.

I often saw many drivers of public transportations busy chatting, seducing, get angry with whoever through their handphone. While we the passengers starting to get itchy as we were worried that the vehicle will end up in the ditch... I understand if there is any emergency calls or once in a while pick up a call and talk for a while. But after more than a few minutes..., I would think does the driver want to find an earnest living or just want to have a chit chat?

By the way, the link about the regulation on traffic is here but unfortunately is in Indonesia... (the exact rule located on page 130 section 283)

Ordinary people having a conversation

My parents are chatty people. If we are using a cab, there is no chance they are just going to stay silent from starting the journey until reaching the destination. Unless both of my parents are not feeling well therefore they do not feel the mood to have a chit chat. Or the driver looks totally annoying and make all of us wishes oh dear let us get to the destination as quicky as possible.

If the driver talked to my father then the topic would not go far from politic and REAL situation in our society that we are certain most of the supposedly representative people up there have no idea whatsoever. About prices of daily needs, gasoline...all going up excpet your own pride. LOL... If my mother usually loves asking about general stuffs. Like from where exactly the driver come from... How long has he been driving taxi like the below conversation :

Driver : Careful, Ma'am... Take it slowly... (to my mother who using a staff)

Mom : Thank you driver... Please take us to....

Driver : Which way you wish to take? How about this road? It is the shortcut... Avoiding traffic jam

Me : Sure thing... ( I agreed as I have already known the street. Please note that taxi's driver is not GOD who can tell exactly when and where the traffic jam will be... Plus, few of them can be devilish by not informing about the traffic jam... So, a knowledge is a must)

Mom : Where you coming from originally?

Driver : From Purwakarta Ma'am...

Mom : Have you been driving in this taxi's company for a long time?

Driver : As a matter of fact yes Ma'am... I have never moved to another companies again.

Mom : Wow, sounds you like it there

Driver : Yeah, this company is not so bad Ma'am...

Mom : How so?

Driver : We have to give to the company approximately 200,000 Rupiahs from all the fare that we have collected. Then after deducted for gasoline we could take home the rest of the money... That is why we are very motivated to find more

Me : Anything else?

Driver : They are family oriented... We could borrow money especially for our need related to our children's education. And we could buy this car for our own by installment...

Mom : Why there are so many drivers have no clue about where they suppose to go?

Driver : Well Ma'am... Same thing with newbie in the office... On the first day they surely have no clue about their work, right? Same thing with new drivers

Me : if you are accidentally hit or  being hit by another car then you should bear the cost of repairment?

Driver : Yes as we take out this car from our pool in good condition. Then we are oblige to return with the same condition.

Me : have you ever received fake money?

Driver : I have. The fare cost was 70,000 Rupiahs. The nervous passenger gave me 100,000 RUpiahs. I took no notice and just return the change amounting 30,000 Rupiahs. Since the pool found out it was a fake money, my total loss was 130,000 Rupiahs.

Mom : You will get another income from somewhere else

Driver : Yes Ma'am. Amien for that


And that was conversation of ordinary people about ordinary life that we all try to get by with our own decent effort.

Taxi and updating status...

There are so many taxi's companies here in Jakarta... Many of them are really good but many of them ar not so good. That include the driver often robbed the passengers and left that trauma feeling. Mostly happen to women passengers who just finished their work from the office late at night. But several cases happen in the broad day light.

I think we have to rely on our instinct whenever we call a cab. If we are with a bunch of friends then we may not care about the creepy situation inside the taxi. When I said creepy that includes automatic door-lock, no handling to open the window or the window also shut automatically from the driver's seat. If there are only one or two passengers the driver could drive to an empty spot then picked up his gang to rob the passengers. I would say that if we get that paranoid feeling when we were about to enter a taxi then do not hesitate to cancel using that taxi.

There are three kind of taxis in Jakarta. Those with expensive fare, standard fare and the other with lower fare (as they still use the old fare). Being cheaper does not mean they give bad service. Again, it depends on the driver it self. I once took a well known taxi and getting off before I even reached my destination. As the driver simply annoying and do not want to listen to our direction. The driver often asked which way we as the passenger would prefer them to take. But this one, not only he did not ask me which way that I prefer. Instead, he keep on bragging that he know the street better in the most annoying way.

So, I would not stated down here which taxis that are good for passengers and which one is not. Usually, office, airport, hotel and mall working together with well known taxis to provide service for its visitors. So, you can be sure that they can be trusted.

Sometimes there are chatty drivers whose conversation are fun and enjoyable. Others merely annoying and you would end up just saying yes, no, uh-hu, hmm...in order to finish the conversation. You may be surprise but new drivers often have no idea where they should go. It's a good thing if they are willing to confess in the first place. But there are a few who would not admit that they are clueless. And of course they could take a wrong turn and drive us mad.

Watch out those drivers who love talking on their cellphone as they would not concentrate on the road. Be careful with sleepy driver so you have to keep talking to him.

Additionally, I think we should start to use our addiction on Social Networking to update our status when we are using a taxi. Like for example, you use this taxi : BB. Once you got in, then write it down on all your social networking status that you are using that taxi with ID number that printed on the door. If you think is necessary then you may also include the driver's identity such as his name and his driver's ID. This usually located near at the dashboard. Why I suggested this? So, in case you forget something in that taxi you could at least give detail information to the taxi's company that you use this taxi. Naturally, if the driver found the left stuff first they might keep it in case the passenger claim it back. Unfortunatelly if the other passenger found it then they obviously could not return your stuff.

So, don't just use your social networking to update status that you are upset, or at the mall, or on the street. Use it for this as well :) Who knows, it might be usefull someday ^__^

Keep on trying :)

*Just want to say that all the pictures below does not describe the below story. Just to give an illustration about busway*

What’s the difference between using the bus, mikrolet, metromini and kopaja?

Theoretically, the public transportation should stop near the available bus stop.
In reality? Obviously is a no no…

Whose fault is that? In my humble opinion, both the driver and the passenger are equally having their part in it.

The passengers want nothing but have a bit of comfort. If the passengers see a bus coming from a far and they just wave at the bus and just want to get on the bus. Do not even bother where the heck actually the bus stop. Why should they bothered to find where the bus stop when the bus already near them? If they have to walk to the bus stop and loose the chance to get on the bus…then it would be disaster! If they have lost a chance to get on the bus, then they have to wait for another chance…wouldn’t that be tiring?

Same thing if we want to get off from the bus. Whenever and wherever we want to get off from the bus, we expect the driver to follow our request. Who would want to walk another mile from our real destination just because being dropped to the bus stop.

As for the driver, surely he would not want to reject the prospect of income from the waving passengers. If he ignored those passengers they could get on to another buses and it means he would lose the money. And if he ignored the request of passengers who want to get off the bus…he could hear swearing and scolds from the angry passengers.

So far only drivers of busways who manage to be discipline in taking in and dropping off those passengers. Well, that is so obvious as the bus stop located in the middle of the road. Not to mention that the doors on busway for passengers located a bit high from the ground. If you try to get off just like that, for certain you will hurt your knee. But with all of those reasons does it stop the passengers to not get off at random places? Absolutely not! Don’t you know that we need to try to get something before finally quit because we finally realize it will not happen?

Early this morning I went somewhere using the busway. I was standing near the driver. Right beside the driver there were passengers sitting on the floor and one near the left door. The driver excuse himself when the busway stop due to the red light. It seems he need to check on something. Instead using the door near him, he chose the other door located on his right. After a while, he went back in and immediately sit again. The next few second a young female passengers calling him and here was the conversation between them :

Passengers : Driver, driver…

Supir (seductively) : Yes, sweet heart?

Passenger : Hmmm, may I get off here ?

Sopir (less seductive) : Sorry sweet heart, no can do…

Penumpang (smiling so brightly) : I could use this door (she then pointing to the door that previously being used by the driver)

Sopir (definitely seductively no more) : Apology miss, the rule said we are not allowed to drop off the passengers at random places…

Penumpang (mumbling) : Darn, it is so much closer from here…

Ignoring her, the driver start the engine and keep on driving when the green light was on.

Huahahahaha, gotcha! Keep on trying 

List of public transportation in Jakarta

Someone asked me what is the difference between bemo and bajaj. And she also asked me the same thing between Oplet and Mikrolet

So, I started to browse around and now I would like to post the following pictures with a bit of information.

Here is the list of public transportation that once existed and still exist in Jakarta

1. Becak
In Jakarta, becak has wider body and the driver sitting in the back pedalling the becak away. I was surprised to hear my dad told me that he once using becak to go from Matraman to Pasar Baru. To those who have no idea about those places, all I can tell you...it is very far to be reached with car let alone with vehicle using manual labor. But probably the air was a lot fresher and not too much vehicles on the street. So both parties were just fine with it. Nowadays becak only operated around spot for tourists.

picture taken from http://indonesia.newsbeet.com

2. Helicak
Sort of like becak with the driver sitting behind the passengers. However helicak operated by machine and do not have an open space for passengers. This public transportation no longer existed in Jakarta.

picture of  helicak taken from http://www.indomp3z.us

3. Oplet
My Dad said this is originally American branded vehicle..., the name is Austin, if I was not wrong. If mikrolet has a sideway door then oplet has a back door to take and drop the passengers. This vehicle is no longer operating in Jakarta

picture of opelet taken from http://www.beritadaerah.com

4. Bemo
So tiny little bitsy kind of vehicle that force all its passengers to cramp together in the back. Still operating in certain are but not much to be seen. Probably going to be put in the museum in the near future.
.

5. Bajaj
I have told about it, like there is old and new versions of bajaj in this posting
.

6. Mikrolet
Replacing oplet as one of public transportation in Jakarta. Still operating and one of traffic contributers.

7. Bus and busway
Regular buses, air conditioned buses and busway that being operated in the middle of the road

8. Metromini / Kopaja
More or less the same with buses. The important point is with Mikrolet or Kopaja could make the short destination become longer like a labyrinth. Perfect for people who like to explore the road.

.

picture of kopaja taken from http://www.matanews.com

9. Others such as taxi, ojek up to omprengan

Hopefully I have covered them all...

Rain oh rain

 What is the connection between rain and public vehicle? Obviously there are a few…

Though I am so happy if rains pouring down the earth as it were supposed to help creating cooler atmosphere but when I was still on the street or inside the bus…then the cool atmosphere is a no-no. Neither inside the regular bus, Air Conditioned bus up to bajaj and mikrolet… There is only a thin line of differences.

The obvious facts are the humid air, sultry condition and the decreasing stock of air. That situation would be worst if heavy rain pouring down on earth. Even when there is no rain, the sitting passengers would not want to open the window let alone if there is heavy rain outside. The closed window does not guarantee that the rain will not seeping through it. So, those who already sat has to let their clothes slowly but sure getting wet by the seeping rain.

Same thing happened when using Bajaj. Eventhough the driver already closed the window, but since it was not permanently built then once there is a windy rain, the water splashing inside the bajaj and let the passenger get wet. And when you using mikrolet and sitting by the door, well get ready to get sick as the back door will not be closed even though rain pouring hard on earth.

During the heavy rain, I would not want to use ojek. But, if I was already using it then what can I say? Once I was using ojek to go somewhere. In the middle of the journey suddenly from not so heavy rain then escalated to heavy rain. There was no question that I was totally wet. The ojek driver also worried that his motorcycle could broke down as flood starting to fill the street. Luckily I finally arrived at my destination…though with soaking wet.


Then what happened with passengers standing on the bus? Most of them just get on the bus and already soaking wet. Either their body or their umbrellas or their belongings are all wet. Those who bring umbrella just keep holding the umbrella and the dripping water falls on to clothes of other passengers. The wet clothes were not going to be dried. However, it would be getting even more wet by sweat due to the hot weather inside. The supply of CO2 are bigger than 02…


What about using Air Conditioned bus? Sure, they might be air conditioned bus but these buses mostly are 10 years old. Not so sure whether they replaced the AC. For certain, ACs in so many buses are mostly damaged. The craziest thing I have ever been was getting on the bus with only a bit wet from the rain and getting off 70% soaking wet. When I was about to sit inside the air conditioned bus I was fully aware that there was dripping water from above probably from the damaged air conditioner. So, I just sat there and fallen asleep immediately. (I love to sleep, what can I say?). When I finally woke up I suddenly realized my jumper feel heavier and I feel cold on the neck. So, when I was to get off I stare at my seat… OH DEAR…, already there was a towel on the back of the seat to contain the dripping water. And my jumper also became the container of the dripping water. I have to take a medicine once I arrived at home to prevent me from getting sick.

Getting on the busway you could feel the cold air since it is air conditioned. But after soaking wet from the rain do you honestly still want to feel the cold inside the bus? Not to mention other people will push you around here and there. Additionally, due to the heavy rain the bus stop for busway becoming slippery. And if you are just in luck queuing for busway after office hour during the heavy rain…then get yourself ready for the splashing windy rain on your face. Sure, there is a rooftop above the bus stop but along the way there is nothing that separate you from the nature.


After all of that I still try to think positive. As even though I was soaking wet both before and after using the bus at least that all these times I have never experienced bus stop due to something wrong with its engine during the heavy rain. I could already imagine how I am going to cry in blood if I have to get off the bus because of that. And while waiting for another bus, I have to stand all the way under the heavy rain. Not to mention that while we are waiting for the bus in the middle of the heavy rain, there was a bit flood near us. Get ready to get wet as the passing cars and bus will not going to hesitate to pass that flood and the splashing water from it will hit us straight away.

Rain oh rain...

Motorcycle riders...again...

Yesterday on Wednesday 17 November 2010 I was about to meet with my friends at the mall. From the area around my home I could find public transportation easily. But once I got to the main road...it was as if no sign of living thing on the street. I doubt the busway would get to the nearest bus stop earlier. Finally when I saw an empty cab, immediately I stop the cab and sat on the front.

That taxi in a glance is similar with EXPRESS (one of many taxi's companies here in Jakarta). I sort of hesitated. But when I got in I did not feel anything unsettling. So, I trust my instinct that there is nothing going to happen and get ot with it. Can't help with the temptation of having cheaper taxi's fare.

 The street was almost like deserted. In Jakarta, empty street could only happen if on the previous day there was a massive riot, flood, heavy traffic jam and certainly on national public holiday like yesterday where almost Jakarta people seems agree to relocated the traffic jam to highland, Bogor and Bandung. Kidding...

So, here are my conversation with the taxi driver :

Me : Empty street like this is so exciting

Driver : Well, not really... It was like everything is not comfortable... During weekdays the street was so packed with vehicles I am barely able to move around. During holiday, the street is empty but I am finding hard to get passenger

Me : So, you prefer empty street but with loads of passengers, right?

Driver : (laugh) that's what I want... Actually, heavy traffic jam in Jakarta merely caused by motorcycles

Me (silently) : And I just posted how I hate motorcycles riders... Fit perfectly...

Me : So all because motorcycle drivers? Well, I heard hundred thousand of motorcycles being released to the public on and on... And not to mention the easy procedur to buy motorcycle these days

Driver : True. Long ago, I worked as a driver in Saudi Arabia and never experience traffic jam though there were many cars on the street. No motorcycles though...

Me : No bus as well?

Driver : Oh, there are buses... Mostly the users are foreign workers

Me : Have you ever had any problem with motorcycle riders?

Driver : Goodness... No... Hopefully not ever... They always tries to outrun everybody... Then they bumped our car...and fell... Then went mad like crazy

Me : And suddenly all motorcycle drivers come from everywhere beating you up

Driver : True. I say, people with heart condition should not be driving in Jakarta at all

Me : So there is no comfort living in Jakarta, sir?

Driver : Yeah, sort of like that...

*LOL... Then where we should be living then?*