'No safety at all in public transportation'

Public transportation is vital for Jakartans as many regularly use public vehicles to reach their workplace. Unfortunately public vehicles offer little in the way of safety and comfort.

Suprihadi, 29, is a Jakarta-born designer who works at a furniture company in Kapuk, North Jakarta. The single man resides in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta:

Public vehicles are not safe at all. I have often seen passengers become victims of extortion or pickpockets in public vehicles. Some places in Senen, Pulogadung, Cengkareng, and Tanjung Priok are high risk areas.

I myself have never been robbed although I use at least three buses to reach my work place.

However, I always worry that it could happen to me. That's why I always turn off my cellular phone and put it in my bag while I am riding a public vehicle.

When I have to take public transportation late at night, I leave my cell phone at home and carry only enough money for the bus fares.

A. Parulian S, 30, works for a company in Palmerah, West Jakarta. He lives in Bekasi:

A crowded bus is an ideal place for pickpockets to ply their trade. A few months ago, my cellular phone was stolen when I was taking the bus to my office. Several weeks later, my bag was slit open with a knife while I was taking public transportation. Fortunately, I didn't lose any of my valuables.

I don't get on crowded buses anymore. It's better just to wait for an empty bus.

Widyawati Djuana,29, is a marketing staff at a financial firm on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, who lives in Matraman, East Jakarta:

I use public transportation to go to and from work every day. But, until now, I have not witnessed any crime like extortion or pickpocketing on board. Fortunately, my bus route is relatively safer than other routes.

However, safety is still a major concern for me. Many drivers force passengers to get off the vehicle in the fast lane. They don't want other buses to overtake them.

Besides, I usually look around once I get on the bus. I am always watchful. For example, I would not answer my cell phone if it is too crowded on board.

Agus, 48, is a civil servant working at one of the offices of the Ministry of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure. He resides in Tangerang.

I have no complaints about safety in public buses. I've never seen any crime on board though I have to change buses three times to reach my office in Pejompongan as well to return home.

For me, the problem is more about comfort than safety. I spend at least one-and-a-half hours in the bus. Many buses plying the route to Cimone, Tangerang are old ones. Many of them are in a poor condition. Most of their air-conditioners are out of order and the seats are worn out.

I hope the city administration will immediately replace the old buses.