'Bemo' drivers struggle to survive tight competition
'Bemo' drivers struggle to survive tight competition
By Lenah Susianty
JAKARTA (JP): Ever ride in a bemo? Do it now while they still exist. In the next few years, the three-wheeled vehicle with facing bench seats in back will disappear from the streets of Jakarta.
Ten years from now they will probably be only in museums or at the bottom of the sea like its predecessor, the becak (pedicab). They were thrown into Jakarta Bay from 1985 until the vehicles were completely banned in December 1990.
The city administration has planned to eliminate all small public transportation from the city, including the bajaj, bemo and ojek (motorcycle taxis).
"This type of public transportation is not included in the city's public transportation policy. They are not appropriate for Jakarta. We plan to replace them with minivans," City Land Transportation Agency head J.P. Sepang said recently, adding that they will be phased out gradually.
The 1,096 bemos registered with the office have been slated to go first.
"We have known for five years, but we keep trying to survive," said Mamat, a ten year veteran who plies the Tanah Abang and Bendungan Hilir route in Central Jakarta.
Sape'i, another seasoned driver on the same route, plans to become a driver of 12-seat mikrolet minibus when bemos are officially axed in Jakarta.
Mamat explained that survival has been a priority for bemo drivers for some time.
"We are also trying to survive tight competition with other drivers. There are at least 500 bemos plying this route alone," he said.
Tanah Abang is known as the biggest station for bemos in Jakarta. Other routes include Senen to Jl. Kebon Sirih, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital to Pulogadung and Salemba Tengah to Rawasari.
Despite the plan to eliminate the bemo, their numbers continue to rise because bemos from cities which outlawed them earlier, like Bandung, have begun operating in Jakarta.
"Ten years ago, I could buy two grams of gold per day with my earnings, now it is difficult to buy one gram," Mamat complained.
Most drivers don't own the vehicles. They pay about Rp 15,000 (US$6.81) per day to the owners and spend Rp 12,000 per day on petrol. The also fork over an 'uang harian' (daily fee) of Rp 600 to the city officials, and must set money aside for unpredictable minor repairs. Repairs are common since most bemos, which were imported in 1962 for the fourth Asian Games, are old and fragile.
Others were brought over from Japan between 1966 and 1968. They were produced by Daihatsu. Japan stopped producing them so long ago that many Japanese in Jakarta don't know that the three wheeled vehicle originated in their country. Those who know the its origins are usually astonished to find them still puttering around Jakarta's streets.
"Spare parts can be produced by local industries so the bemos keep going," Bambang, a public relations officer of the Ministry of Transportation, told The Jakarta Post.
A few stores in Tanah Abang and Bendungan Hilir sell the spare parts but, according to Mamat, the spare parts center is in Tajur, Bogor.
He said that there are stores which sell used parts at 50 to 60 percent less than the normal price.
"Since there are problems every day with the bemo most of us can handle minor repairs," said Mamat, adding that he has his vehicle fixed by a mechanic only if it is really broken.
The carburetor, the gas line, the gears and the brakes are the most fragile parts of a bemo. The tiers should last about six months, but most drivers drive on them until they are bare. Holes in the body are welded.
Refurbishing an old bemo is usually done by the owner because it can cost up to Rp 250,000 to upgrade it at a garage.
"I don't think it is important to make it look nice. As long as it runs well, that is enough," assured Sape'i.
Holes in his bemo's floor confirmed his opinion. The door was a little ragged too. But, it is this old rusty vehicle that helps him raise his three teenage children. He says: "It's better to be a bemo driver than to be someone's driver. You are free, you can earn your living, although you can't get rich. This is all I can do, why should I ask for something more?"