Seat Separation

A few months ago, there was new establishment on busway. Women and met sit separately. Women sit in the front area of busway while men sit in the back area. This separation applied due to so many reports on sexual harassment. At first many people complained about this new set up. But eventually, people start to just go with it. Rules are rules, the maker don't really care if the user like it or not. Just go with it and everything will be just fine.


There are officials in charge to warn passengers to follow the rule. Especially during rush hour where people just want to get in so they can go to their destination. Which is raise a question. Do the passengers just follow the rule? Well, not exactly.

Sometimes; like the one in this picture; there was a guy maybe two who ignore the rule and just take a seat in where ever empty seats they can find. Sometimes they are with family or lover or just being alone and find an empty seat regardless the area. Plus, the official in charge didn't notice that. But then, sometimes me and lots of other women also take a seat in area for men. Especially during rush hour.

Weekend Blues

Up to now I still have no idea why oh why streets in Jakarta always hit by heavy traffic jam every Friday or when there are long weekend due to National Public Holiday.

Like this weekend, most people have 4 days off including Saturday and Sunday due to celebration of Islamic New Year. Already around 3 PM street full with cars that only God know come from where on this planet. Eventually, people who have to use public transportation like bus must wait patiently. Well, in a perfect world the passenger will wait patiently. Then again, in a perfect world...we probably won't have any problem with public transportation.

Taxi's Passengers Robbed, Again.

Well, and here we go again. There was another robbery on taxi few days ago. You can read the news here on Jakarta Globe.

Seat Reservation

Are you taking a bus or an airplane? Seriously? Seat Reservation? Is it travel car between cities? Nope, just local transportation. And yet, you need to have a seat reservation?

It isn't unsual for people here have a reserved seat for their friends. You can find them during lunch time at the food court or coffee shops. But rarely on public transportation. Then again, this is Jakarta where any absurd things can happen.

Once I went with a friend of mine to watch a live show from one major television station here in Indonesia. When we were about to take a seat. a mother with her daughter told us not to sit there. They said there are people going to sit there. Yup. There were several empty seats but we coudn't sit there. So, while grumbling we took another spot and sat there. That's when we saw many people just arrived and take the reserved seats. They probably have many seats reserved for the whole neighborhood. Goodness!




Why I suddenly talk about this? On dailynews Kompas dated 14 october 2012 there was a story about a guy try to have a seat reserved for his friend. From his conversation through handphone, his friend was waiting in another busway stop. So, when he got two empty seats he quickly put the backpack on the empty seat. He then take another near empty seat. Then another passanger entered the busway. The new passenger was about to take a seat when this guy stop him. He said the seat has been taken. The new passenger was upset and persistently asked where is that person? Not here? So, why can't he sit there? After another angry passengers terrorizing this guy, he finally gave up. And even decided to gave up both his seat and the reserved one. That guy left the busway when it reached the next busway stop.

Demonstration?

I was walking on busway corridor when suddenly my eyes catch the headlines : Labor Groups to Hold Mass Protest today : 03 October 2012. Here in Jakarta. The online news can be read here.

Oh no. I am a bit panic. Sure, the demonstration will only take place start from 08.00 AM up to 12.00 PM. Yeah, sure. That was the plan. But we all here know too well that sometimes a nice plan can change drastically within seconds. Beside, even if the demonstration held peacefully there is always a side effect.


This is a big demonstration so it means there will be a lot of people walking, standing on the street. There is a big riot potential especially when they allow provocator to get them angry. Angry for not able to receive decent paid for the hard job. Angry for everything that is not fair in this life. You name it. And if there is a riot, means the street will be closed. No cars will be allowed to pass including public transportation. Naturally we will avoid the riot's area. Who would want their car get smash by big rock or angry mob? Who would want to be in the middle of riots when angry people loves to hit everything and everyone? There will be traffic jam and people finally force themselves to walk miles away before able to find public transportation.

That is why, people always worry whenever they heard the word "Demonstration". Can the rally be held peacefully? Will they finish the rally before rush hour so people can get home in peace? Or it will end like big riot in May 1998 in Jakarta? That will be scary.

Hopefully no such things will happen this day and everything will be going on smoothly.