Rush Hour

A few days ago I saw a bunch of tourists from Thailand at busway stop Central Harmoni. I couldn't help but wonder, why their tour guide is crazy enough to bring all of them during rush hour. Yes. It was around 4 PM where many people already finish their job and all rushing try to get home as soon as possible. Traffic jam will hit the street around 5 PM until around 8 PM. Which is why the goverment urge our people to use public transportation. Unfortunately, this is what you get by using public transportation. Long queuing and you have to bear many impolite people (me including...well, sometimes).

I think is great when you travel to another country and want to try the experience first hand on how was it if I use this public transportation? Will it be difficult? Is there something that I need to buy, like in this case e-ticket. And how much further you will want in that experience. Would you like to try how crazy people can be when all they can think of is home. As Soon As Possible. One minute this person can be nice to you, showing direction. But when the bus come he or she (usually is ...she).will brutally push you aside so you won't be in the way.

Crowded Places In Jakarta During Ramadhan Holiday

If you are happen to stay in Jakarta during Idul Fitri's holiday, then you have better watch out to the following places as they are going to be so very crowded with people...

1. Amusement parks
People who stays in Jakarta are surely going to avoid these two places: Ragunan Zoo and Ancol. There are so many people during this festive holiday and if you hate crowded places, well... it will not going to be a wonderful experience.

2. Museums and other historical places.
Most people probably not really into museum, but old museums such as Fatahillah in old city of Jakarta and National Monument (MoNas) have parks and large area for people to hang around together. If you want to visit museums, they are probably close but there are other entertainment that you can enjoy. While at National Monument I can assure you, it will take ages for you before finally able to enter the monument and going up to see Jakarta from there.

Taken in front of Museum Fatahillah, located at Old City Jakarta

Taken in front of National Monument 

Problem With Your Pre-paid Card

It has been ages since I last posted here, I know... Probably because I have nothing to tell you other than the buses getting few and fewer within these last couple of months. The people is getting crazier all the time...In short, there seems nothing the passengers could do about it... Just accept them as facts of life.

ANyway, like I have said in many of my postings here...if you are going to stay here in Jakarta for quite a while there there is nothing wrong to have at least one pre-paid card. But on second thought, let's make it two. Why? Here are the reasons:

1. Dude, this is Jakarta... You are probably going to encounter your first time of getting mugged on the bus. Seriously. Pickpockets are here and there in almost every public transportation. Not to mention mall or any public places. If you only have one and you put it in your pocket...well... Do I need to explain more?
Shortcut: buy another pre-paid card that will cost you IDR 40.000,-. The price for the card is IDR 20.000,- and the rest will be used to pay the fare.

Happy Birthday @BluTransJakarta

Well, well, 11 years passing us by so quickly... The transportation that everyone despised now become the most wanted in Jakarta... Still the cheapest, IMHO compare with other public transportation. Though to people who seldom use this transportation will find it a bit tricky as using pre-paid card to buy ticket is mandatory. You will find a living hell when try aboard it during rush hour... Actually, in any hour this public transportation is always full with people... Sighed...

But, I still want to send my warm wishes and send greetings...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TransJakarta

Hopefully, your service is getting better so we don't have to be abusive to your staffs during the waiting moment...

No Pet... Sorry pet's lovers...

E-ticketing Started 1 November 2014

Quoting from TEMPO, starting from 1st of November , get ready to have at least one prepaid card if you are planning to use busway as your daily transportation.

I am also quoting from Jakarta Globe, that  The bus operator will implement the payment system at nine corridors — corridor VIII (Harmoni-Lebak Bulus route) and corridor IX (Pinang Ranti-Pluit) on Nov. 1; corridor II (Harmoni-Pulo Gadung route) and corridor III (Harmoni-Kalideres) on Nov. 22; corridor V (Ancol-Kampung Melayu) and corridor VII (Kamung Rambutan-Kampung Melayu) on Nov. 29; and corridor X (Tanjung Priok-Cililitan), corridor XI (Kampung Melayu-East Jakarta mayor’s office) and corridor XII (Pluit-Tanjung Priok) on Dec. 13.

Hopefully this information will be useful. If you wish to know a bit about e-ticket  you can read it here. 

Cheaper with E-Money

With prepaid card from Bank Mandiri, you will only pay IDR 16,- for busway and commuter line. Since only last 3 days from 06 October up to 8 October, you better hurry up ^_^

E-Ticket Announcement

For all busway user, this photo was taken at busway stop Harmoni. The announcement inform passengers that they have to use prepaid card now instead buying ticket manually. The pre-paid card will cost you IDR 40.000,- as IDR 20.000,- is for the card and the balance can be used for 5 - 6 trips. Minimum amount to top up your prepaid card is IDR 20.000,- Hope this information will be usefull.

You may top up your balance with ATM here or just pay with cash.

E-Ticket for Busway and Commuter Line

As you probably aware, from my previous post here , there will be several busway stops that going to use E-ticket instead of selling ticket manually.

Though E-ticket using Flazz Card and others are now can be used for both busway and commuter line, there is something that you need to know.

If you are using a totally new card for busway, you can just use the card until there is no balance left. But for commuter line, you have to ensure there is more than enough balance to cover your trip. PLUS, if you are going to use a totally new car then you need to activate it. YES. Activate it first, ask around where you should activate your new car before you use it to pass the entrace gate. 

Empty Street

Don't you just love Jakarta during Lebaran's holiday? :)

FINALLY

Few days ago, I saw this announcement about e-ticket.

Start from 11th of August 2014, passengers will have to use E-Ticket for busway or Trans Jakarta at these several bus stop :

What To Do While On The Journey

Using busway is something that I have to do to get home as I have no other cheaper alternative. Obviously is a boring journey with people cramped together in one compartment. So, to entertain myself, I used to take photos along the way. Like these 4 following photos, on Passar Senen after that big fire and what happened to the vendors. They are all scattered on the street.

Taking Photos Along The Way

During the time that I spent through busway corridors and their buses, I managed to take photos while Pasar Senen ( one of the old market or old fashioned mall in Jakarta) was on fire. The fire started around 4 AM on Friday 25 April 2014. From a distance, mind you.

And here are the photos

Why Rain Always Comes on Friday?

And I have no answer for that... Here are some photos that I have taken this rainy morning around the bus stop at Harmoni Jakarta. .

Jakarta This Cloudy Morning

Here are photos taken from TransJakarta Bus Stop Harmoni this morning:

Harmoni Bus Stop This Morning

Rain pouring down heavily since last night and this is the look of the river taken from Harmoni Bus stop on 29th January 2014.

Here are news about TransJakarta :

Bigger TransJakarta (hopefully soon)

New buses for TransJakarta (when? where? which? What? Really?)

NOWHERE SAFE (especially for female passengers)

Photos on 22-23 Jan 2014

Photos were taken around 5 PM yesterday at bus stop Harmoni and around Passer Baroe area across from Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

The Flood Episode

Dark Sky

As usual, in the beginning of the year we have rainy season. The rain pouring down hard on earth and as the result we have another flood session around Jakarta. With the flood all over the city, people find it hard to go around. Schools closed down, either because they were surrounded by flood. Or becoming base camp for the refugees. Busways or any other transportation unable to cross the flooding area. And therefore, workers having difficulty to get to their offices on time. Sometimes, they have to turn back home because the road was no longer there due to the flood.

Happy Birthday to Busway aka TransJakarta

TransJakarta will celebrate their 10 years operation on 25 January 2014. To celebrate it, they give 50% discount to e-ticket users (e-ticket BRI, BNI, BCA, Bank Mandiri, Bank DKI, and Bank Mega) . The special discount started today 15  January 2014 until 22 January 2014. However, if you buy the ticket using cash as usual then the regular price still apply.

Happy Birthday to TransJakarta and hopefully the service will be getting better every day.

The Never Coming Busway

If you are already inside the busway station and see this long line like this, maybe it will be best if you just get out, forget about the fare that you have paid and just find another public transportation. Busfare is not refundable so think carefully before you make up your mind.

Fine For Intruder Busway Lane

As per 1 November, Jakarta Pilicw impose fine for driving in busway lanes.

The fine is Rp. 500.000,- for motorcycle riders and Rp. 1.000.000,- for car drivers.

If you wish to read more about the news, you may check this link.

So, please be aware when you are late and want to go through the quickest way by entering busway lane.

You may check the news from this links.

Bajaj is three wheels vehicle. so wondering if the fine also to be imposed on the drivers as well.

Try not to do this ever again in the future 

With the new regulation, will angry tresspassers still try to shot these people who only doing their job?