Buggies still bring in a decent living

By Listiana Operananta

JAKARTA (JP): In a hectic city like Jakarta it is hard to believe people can still earn a living with a delman (traditional horse-drawn buggy).

Delman, were popular with people living on the city's outskirts some four decades ago but have had to make way for modern transport.

Nowadays, delman are mostly a tourist attraction, and in Jakarta are only found in a few old market places, like Palmerah, Central Jakarta.

Ismail is a delman driver making a living at Palmerah market. Although he and his fellow delman drivers work side by side with bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicles) and ojeg (motorcycle taxis) drivers, their novelty lightens the hearts of customers and passersby.

Ismail has been a delman driver for eight years. He begins his day at 7:00 a.m and ends it at noon. After that he goes straight home to Ciledug, a subdistrict about 12 kilometers west.

The 23 year-old inherited his business when he was only fifteen. "My father was a renowned horse croupier in the area and he owned several delman. After his death -- as the oldest of two brothers -- I had to take over the business. I had no other option," he said.

Before becoming a buggy driver, Ismail, an elementary school dropout, worked at a small home industry producing underwear from when he was only ten. He took over his father's business because it was his duty but he was also tired of working in the small company.

"I wanted to run my own business," he said.

Ismail has two horses and two buggies which he stables at his parents' home in Kebon Nanas, East Jakarta.

"Since I live far away in Ciledug, every morning, at 5:00 o'clock I ride my motorcycle there to get the buggy and take it to Palmerah," he said.

Even though he operates in a big city he still manages to earn around Rp 50,000 (US$20.80) on Sundays and Saturdays, and Rp 25,000 on weekdays.

Ismail, who married an elementary school teacher, has four children. But he told The Jakarta Post he made enough to make ends meet.

"I even manage to finance the education of my two brothers-in- law who go to a technical high school, and, off course, my own 12-year-old daughter," he said.

Although there are other means of transport in Palmerah, such as bajaj and ojeg, he has never had problems with rivals.

"Maybe it is because I belong to the minority group so they regard us as friends not competitors," he said.

Ismail said a unique service like the delman drew its own regular customers. "So we don't have to negotiate the fee every time they use my service," he said.

His customers are mostly vendors who prefer to take a delman because the ride is more relaxing after a long hot day at the market.

They do not mind the slow pace because they are not in a hurry.

On Sundays and Saturdays, people use his service for sight- seeing, mainly to the Taman Ria recreation park. On weekdays people take their children for a delman ride far away from the old market places.

"Sometimes I take them as far as Jl. Sudirman," he said.

After finishing a day's work, Ismail looks after his small vegetable garden and sells the produce at the market.

"Sometimes I help people tend their yards for a few rupiah."

This gives the double benefit of pay, and grass for his horses.

Ismail said once his dream of running a transport service for children came true, he would give his buggy business to his 14- year-old nephew who drives the second delman.

"He can operate both at the Taman Ria amusement park," he said.

Even though he lives a decent life in Jakarta, Ismail is keen to quit his delman for a more respectable means of transport.

"I'm sure that one day I will have my own pick up car to take children to and from the school where my wife works," he said.