'Bemo' drivers struggle to survive tight competition<\/p>\n
By Lenah Susianty<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ever ride in a bemo? Do it now while they still
\nexist. In the next few years, the three-wheeled vehicle with
\nfacing bench seats in back will disappear from the streets of
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Ten years from now they will probably be only in museums or at
\nthe bottom of the sea like its predecessor, the becak (pedicab).
\nThey were thrown into Jakarta Bay from 1985 until the vehicles
\nwere completely banned in December 1990.<\/p>\n
The city administration has planned to eliminate all small
\npublic transportation from the city, including the bajaj, bemo
\nand ojek (motorcycle taxis).<\/p>\n
"This type of public transportation is not included in the
\ncity's public transportation policy. They are not appropriate for
\nJakarta. We plan to replace them with minivans," City Land
\nTransportation Agency head J.P. Sepang said recently, adding that
\nthey will be phased out gradually.<\/p>\n
The 1,096 bemos registered with the office have been slated to
\ngo first.<\/p>\n
"We have known for five years, but we keep trying to survive,"
\nsaid Mamat, a ten year veteran who plies the Tanah Abang and
\nBendungan Hilir route in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Sape'i, another seasoned driver on the same route, plans to
\nbecome a driver of 12-seat mikrolet minibus when bemos are
\nofficially axed in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Mamat explained that survival has been a priority for bemo
\ndrivers for some time.<\/p>\n
"We are also trying to survive tight competition with other
\ndrivers. There are at least 500 bemos plying this route alone,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Tanah Abang is known as the biggest station for bemos in
\nJakarta. Other routes include Senen to Jl. Kebon Sirih, Cipto
\nMangunkusumo General Hospital to Pulogadung and Salemba Tengah to
\nRawasari.<\/p>\n
Despite the plan to eliminate the bemo, their numbers continue
\nto rise because bemos from cities which outlawed them earlier,
\nlike Bandung, have begun operating in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"Ten years ago, I could buy two grams of gold per day with my
\nearnings, now it is difficult to buy one gram," Mamat complained.<\/p>\n
Most drivers don't own the vehicles. They pay about Rp 15,000
\n(US$6.81) per day to the owners and spend Rp 12,000 per day on
\npetrol. The also fork over an 'uang harian' (daily fee) of Rp 600
\nto the city officials, and must set money aside for unpredictable
\nminor repairs. Repairs are common since most bemos, which were
\nimported in 1962 for the fourth Asian Games, are old and fragile.<\/p>\n
Others were brought over from Japan between 1966 and 1968.
\nThey were produced by Daihatsu. Japan stopped producing them so
\nlong ago that many Japanese in Jakarta don't know that the three
\nwheeled vehicle originated in their country. Those who know the
\nits origins are usually astonished to find them still puttering
\naround Jakarta's streets.<\/p>\n
"Spare parts can be produced by local industries so the bemos
\nkeep going," Bambang, a public relations officer of the Ministry
\nof Transportation, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
A few stores in Tanah Abang and Bendungan Hilir sell the spare
\nparts but, according to Mamat, the spare parts center is in
\nTajur, Bogor.<\/p>\n
He said that there are stores which sell used parts at 50 to
\n60 percent less than the normal price.<\/p>\n
"Since there are problems every day with the bemo most of us
\ncan handle minor repairs," said Mamat, adding that he has his
\nvehicle fixed by a mechanic only if it is really broken.<\/p>\n
The carburetor, the gas line, the gears and the brakes are the
\nmost fragile parts of a bemo. The tiers should last about six
\nmonths, but most drivers drive on them until they are bare. Holes
\nin the body are welded.<\/p>\n
Refurbishing an old bemo is usually done by the owner because
\nit can cost up to Rp 250,000 to upgrade it at a garage.<\/p>\n
"I don't think it is important to make it look nice. As long
\nas it runs well, that is enough," assured Sape'i.<\/p>\n
Holes in his bemo's floor confirmed his opinion. The door was
\na little ragged too. But, it is this old rusty vehicle that helps
\nhim raise his three teenage children. He says: "It's better to be
\na bemo driver than to be someone's driver. You are free, you can
\nearn your living, although you can't get rich. This is all I can
\ndo, why should I ask for something more?"<\/p>",
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