Everybody needs an entertainment

A few days ago, I was a bit worried when using this public transportation. It is like a minivan like most public transportation serving residence areas. That minivan has the fullest criteria for female passengers to avoid.

First, the driver and passenger sat beside him looks so young and knew each other

Danger in Mikrolet

Within two months we read terrible news about rape and murder on mikrolet.

That is one of the sad things of using public transportation here in Jakarta. We need to protect our self and can't count on other people for their help. For you who has no idea about mikrolet here are the pictures

Omprengan

I have no idea whether this kind of transportation is exist or otherwise outside Jakarta - Bekasi

Omprengan is illegal public transportation originally from private cars being multi functioned by the owner to bring other people who has the same destination.

So, if the owner domiciled in Bekasi but has to work in Jakarta. Rather than he deal with gasoline and highway fare alone, it would be better if he share with other people who are about to go to the same destination. Passengers prefer omprengan because even though is more expensive but at least they could avoid the tiredness for standing along the way inside the bus. Or the fare could be cheaper if the passengers need to take public transportations more than one before reaching the destination. This is only in smaller scale where the owner operated his vehicle to shares fare and in limited capacity also still prefer the comfortableness.

There are other omprengan operated almost like public transportation. They have their own base camp and not going to move before they have full passengers inside the car. Comfortableness be gone... But still people prefer to use omprengan as public transportation has becoming more disaster.

Although I worked inside the city, once for a few years I enjoyed using omprengan. Well, it was not really that comfort as the vehicle was an old minibus. But it has huge space so within force there could be 15 people inside.

The happy side? Obviously because the fare is cheaper compare to the bus. And I could sit and sleep all the way. My goodness, I really don't want to miss a chance to fall asleep...

The not so happy side because the driver always waiting for his loyal customers for a long time. Most of his customers start working at 08.30 AM so they were not in a hurry.

The funny or tragic story was the moment that I saw how people who were having too much comfort could ask for more. At that time, the gasoline price was increasing. So, the driver ask for our understanding that he would increase the fare as well. A lady asked me in vain,"Oh why he has to increase the fare?" So, she really not willing to pay more. I looked at her while thinking if she use the bus then she has to pay more than she paid right now. And there would be no chance to have a bit of comfort.

The danger of using unknown omprengan is the owner could be a robber along with the fake passengers. Which is why don't take chances when we are about to use omprengan for the first time. It would be best if we have someone who familiar with it.

Sure we need cheap fare but we always need to be alert.

Let me outta here

Things that could force people get off from public transportation whether is a bus, busway, mikrolet, and many others:


Downed tools
Well…isn’t that so obvious? What else could you do when that situation occur? Would you like to offer your help to push the vehicle? Or you wish to pray for a miracle to happen so the public transportation miraculously back in business in order for you avoiding loss for the fare? If you want to pray then you should do it before you use any public transportation.

SMELLY!
Have no idea what, where, how that smell is coming but it stink! And inhaling that odor in a long time makes you get a headache. To avoid any unfortunate events such as collapsing in public place perhaps you should take a hike from that vehicle.

That kind of creepy feeling
You are unsure about something but it keep on bugging you… If you feel that if you are in danger or some kind then do not hesitate to just get off the public transportation. The fare you lose meant nothing with the gruesome ordeal that you might have to face if you choose to ignore those feeling. Naturally, remind yourself don’t just get off in a secluded area…

High volume music!
Once I entering mikrolet with dark glasses, there are this discotheque lamps above playing with your eyes and of course that big bad loud speaker. And then the driver put on this tripping music that will drive you wild at the club but drive you insane inside that tiny public transportation. If you are not in a hurry to go to your destination then perhaps getting off will be a very good decision.
Same things happen on the bus though the area is much wider that does not mean will lessen any suffering that you have to listen the loud music. Not only the music is beyond your taste the driver feel the need to turn on the volume to the maximum level. If you are listening to your IPOD then it would be better if you just take it off. It won’t do you any good to try covering the unwanted music by making the volume louder on your IPOD. The sound from that big loud speaker still able to penetrate into your ears and it will be better you just get off the bus… If you really can not take it anymore…