Buses Hold Firm as Terminal Cicaheum Faces Closure

A number of buses have chosen to remain at Terminal Cicaheum in Bandung, West Java, refusing to shift to Terminal Leuwipanjang despite official relocation policies. Terminal Cicaheum has long served as a key hub for Bandung residents travelling eastward across Java to destinations such as Yogyakarta, Solo, and Surabaya. However, the terminal is now set to be decommissioned and repurposed as a depot for the Bandung Raya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Observations on Tuesday, 26 May, revealed that, despite the policy to cease transport operations at Terminal Cicaheum, buses continue to carry passengers to various regions including Garut, Tasikmalaya, and provinces beyond, such as Yogyakarta, Wonosobo, Solo, and Surabaya. ‘This isn’t just about buses; there are also vendors here. They haven’t received clarity on compensation, so we’re not moving to Leuwipanjang yet because the policy isn’t clear,’ said Safrudin, a terminal ticket officer. He admitted uncertainty over how long they would stay but stressed the need for clear compensation for vendors. Yanto, another local, echoed similar concerns, arguing that relocating to Terminal Leuwipanjang would complicate operations due to increased costs for bus operators. ‘At Leuwipanjang, it’s equally quiet with few passengers. Even if you have to pass through here, it adds fuel costs. If the government wants to implement policies, they should properly communicate them first instead of abruptly imposing rules,’ Yanto said.