Jakarta on track with its transportation services
JAKARTA (JP): A traveler's first steps in Jakarta may be tentative ones as he or she adjusts to the daunting task of becoming familiar with the byways and highways of this sprawling city.
A dose of steely determination and a sense of adventure will serve in good stead in negotiating Jakarta's streets.
There is little to fear, however, because the city's transportation network turns out to be surprisingly comprehensive.
From sleek taxis and regular bus services to sputtering three- wheeled motorized pedicabs called bajaj, the city has a little to offer every traveler and budgets large and small.
* Taxis -- metered taxis offering comparatively cheap prices can be flagged down around the city. Caution is recommended because there has been a spate of crimes involving taxis in the past few months. But these are in the decided minority, and there are recognized reputable taxi companies, including the Bluebird and Kosti Jaya firms.
Bluebird also has a line of taxis which work under Silverbird. These luxurious black sedans do cost a bit more, but drivers are usually courteous, speak English and you get the comfort and style to go with it. Beware, though, that not all blue-colored taxis are Bluebirds.
When flagging down a taxi on the street, visitors unfamiliar with the city should note the appearance of the taxi driver (neatness, as always, counts for a lot), look for the obligatory identification card posted prominently on the dashboard and trust their intuition: if something seems amiss, politely but firmly tell the driver you want to get out.
It is a good idea to know the route you want to take or at least have a street map with you.
* Buses -- Vehicles, including air-conditioned ones, ply an extensive network around the corners of the city. Although probably not recommended for travelers accustomed to creature comforts, traveling this way may be a pleasant and bearable adventure. Try one of the familiar, well-traveled routes, including along Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman to Blok M in South Jakarta.
The best advice is to ask those who know best -- the bus passengers themselves -- on route schedules and the correct fare.
Buses, replete with air-conditioning, toilets and video movies, also operate to far-flung areas nationwide.
* Trains -- There is no major inner-city train service in Jakarta but for those with time to spare, trains can be the most pleasant and inexpensive way to travel to other parts of Java. The trip to Bandung, West Java, costs just Rp 25,000 (US$2.5) for an executive class seat; the trip also includes an eyeful of stunning natural landscapes.
There are other regular daily services, including to Cirebon, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. Few services other than cargo operate outside of Java.
* Motorized mayhem -- As well as the usual conventional transportation modes, Jakarta has a few that, if tried, will definitely leave an impression.
The bajaj is the most common of these. Basically just a motor scooter with a flimsy cab for seating the passenger, it is mainly used for short trips. Haggling over the price before the ride begins is a must. Be prepared for a bone-shaking, hair-raising ride hurtling through traffic.
Safe spots to try a bajaj include the route between Plaza Indonesia and the Sarinah department store in Central Jakarta; it should set you back Rp 2,000 at the most.
Then there are motorbike taxis. These are motorbike riders willing to take passengers wherever they need to go. Again, ask the price first and bargain. Make sure you have at least some idea of how much these cost, or else you will be taken for a ride in more ways than one.
For the hardy with some knowledge of Indonesian, there are also bemo three-wheeled cabs and mikrolet minibuses. Keep your wits about you on these as pickpockets often operate on them.
* Air -- Despite events of the past few months, Indonesia remains an important international crossroads for cargo and passenger air travel.
Jakarta and other major cities in the country rank prominently in global air transportation networks, both for passengers and cargo.
The capital and other major cities in the country such as Bandung, Medan and Denpasar are served on regular routes by international air carriers.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has both domestic and international flights. Flights also depart from the smaller Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta.
Indonesia's strategic importance as an air hub and tourist destination has not been lost on international airlines.
Among these is Taiwan-based EVA Air. Founded in 1989 by Taiwan's respected Evergreen Group, the airline flies one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world.
Indonesia continues to be a significant part of its flight roster. It has daily flights from Taipei to Jakarta, and serves routes to Surabaya and Denpasar three times weekly.
The airline is known for continually updating both its technological and human resources.
EVA Air's fleet includes B747-400s, MD-11s, B767-300Er, B767200s and MD90s. In addition to Indonesia, it flies to other destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the United States and Panama.