Another near-miss bus accident

Another near-miss bus accident

From Media Indonesia

On April 27, 1996, at about 6:45 p.m. my children and I were
riding on the Masstrans P20 limited passenger air conditioned bus
on the Senen-Lebak Bulus route, in the hope that it would be
safer and more convenient than taking a Metromini bus.

When approaching the intersection near Gunung Sahari, the
driver braked suddenly to avoid a collision with an oncoming
vehicle. The driver should have stopped the bus earlier though
because the traffic light was red. The other passengers and I
warned the driver not to drive recklessly.

Having passed the traffic light, another bus going to the same
destination was close behind us. This made the driver crazy and
he drove madly, seemingly without the slightest concern for the
safety of his passengers or other road users. He slightly
zigzagged to prevent the bus behind overtaking us and so he could
be the one to reach passengers on the roadside. Again his
passengers warned him to be more careful. Finally the two buses
began racing and overtaking each other which made the situation
more frightening. When the buses were near each other the two
drivers began abusing each other, using the most obscene language
I've ever heard. Not only that, the other bus then forced my bus
onto the pavement. It was a terrible experience indeed. All the
passengers were frightened and asked the driver to let them off
at Ratu Plaza, Senayan, when we were only halfway to our
destination.

We call on the company to improve its service and have more
concern for its passengers' safety.

BABY JIM ADITYA

Jakarta