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