Tsunami means a fortune for 'ojek' drivers in Banda Aceh
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
The earthquake and tidal waves that hit Aceh and North Sumatra have not only brought relief workers, donors and the press from all over the world to the northern tip of the island, but also an opportunity for the Acehnese, who lost their homes and belongings, in the devastating calamity to find new sources of income.
"I lost my motorized becak (three-wheeled pedicab) ... I now earn a living offering services as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver to foreigners and reporters," said Helmi Yusuf, 24, as he parked his motorcycle at the governor's residence in Banda Aceh on Sunday.
The compound has been transformed into the integrated command post for government institutions helping to evacuate tsunami victims and distributing aid.
Unlike other big cities in the country, ojek is not a common form of public transportation in the capital city of Banda Aceh, where people normally traverse the city in labi-labi (public minivan), becak, and buses. Since the town was paralyzed by the disaster on Dec. 26, ojek has served as the most popular form of transportation amid the potholes and rubble-strewn streets of Banda Aceh.
Helmi said he was able to earn Rp 1.2 million (US$133) a day during the first three days after the calamity.
"But currently I am only able to take home Rp 200,000 per day at the most," added Helmi, a resident of Ujong Kala district.
Nazaruddin, 32, a carpenter, has also seen the chance to earn fast cash as an ojek driver. Working from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., he sets a fare of Rp 50,000 for six hours taking his customers all around town and up to Rp 150,000 for the whole day.
But Zulkifli, 35, formerly a labi-labi driver has a different system.
"I let Indonesians bargain ... I set a higher price for foreigners, about Rp 250,000 per day. If they haggle, I lower the rate by Rp 50,000," he told The Jakarta Post.
Indeed, transportation in Banda Aceh can cost visitors a fortune. Previously, the rate for a five-kilometer trip by motorized becak only cost Rp 3,000. Now, it costs Rp 20,000.
"It's the cost we have to pay. I have no choice other than to take the price they ask for ... We cannot do our job roaming about the city on foot," said Hendra Makmur, a correspondent of Jakarta-based daily Media Indonesia.
A reporter with Makassar, North Sulawesi-based daily Harian Fajar, Nita Anggraeni, added that within two days of assignment in Banda Aceh, she had paid Rp 100,000 for three-kilometer ojek ride from the refugee camp in Zainal Abidin Hospital where she stays to the crisis command post.
But the ojek drivers said the lucrative business will only be temporary.
"If the situation gets better, we'll go back to our former jobs," Zulkifli said.