I honestly do.

While I have lived all my life in a country where the transportation system is internationally known to be efficient, Jakarta is perceived to be the opposite.

It is a common and well-known perception that the Jakarta Transportation System is inefficient and it is for certain that you will be stuck in massive jams. The jams even got on the nerves of taxi drivers who, of all people, I expected to be ‘accustomed’ to the whole traffic issues. I guess it is so bad that no one can come to terms with it.

Yes this perception is not wrong. And it is indeed a reality. Or rather, it is a common perception of this ‘reality’.

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IN SINGAPORE

I stayed in Bukit Batok and work in Orchard. Every day, there was one most efficient route to work regardless of weather, traffic etc. Take any other route it will either be way too expensive, or takes significantly more time which does not make sense.

The system is well defined and fixed. So my mornings were so routined that I could zone out or focus on my gadgets throughout the journey. And on top of all, what’s there to worry about? Low crime rates, well-organized roads, functioning traffic lights, clearly defined road lanes… the list goes on.

My wife on the other hand did (and still do) have classes, social meet-ups, groceries etc. Bringing a baby stroller, 1 infant, 1 toddler and a big heavy bag up and down the bus was possible but… well try doing it. Taxis are too expensive. For groceries, it was a 10min walk to and fro – No transport from my block to the nearest market. So not so positive experience for my wife though.

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IN JAKARTA

I stay in Bintaro, South Jakarta and work in Kuningan, Central Jakarta. To many people I met (including locals), this is a crazy distance to travel every single day. To help contextualise, it is almost like living in Tampines but working in Jurong, with the traffic conditions on almost the opposite end of the spectrum.

For sure, the traffic to work is crazy. It can take me ~2hrs by Taxi during peak hours to go to the central area (but it cost only SGD15 btw).

The traffic is indeed crazy in Jakarta. But to the surprise of many, I am seldom stuck in jams. This constraint of ‘jams’ in Jakarta has forced me to look for alternative routes. But unlike in Sg, these alternatives takes me almost the same amount of time to work and for some, they are significantly cheaper.

And the classic irony is; the cheaper alternative is proven to be significantly more efficient in helping me get to my destinations. Even what is a ‘cheaper’ transportation is not straight forward – for eg from where I work to the train station, Taxis are way cheaper than Ojek (motorcycle-taxi).

That’s how ‘undefined’ the transportation system is in Jakarta.

Below are some transportations that I have taken and some things I like about them:

1) Taxis

I like the drivers. Almost all the drivers will step out of the car and help carry my groceries / luggage. An experience we seldom get from Taxis in Sg. Even when there is a massive jam, sometimes I still take the taxi if I need to do work with my laptop or just have a ‘me-time’ – because the meter slows down in jams, unlike in Sg. So I don’t mind the jam.

2) Ojek (Motor Taxi)

They are everywhere and super agile. If I am in a rush, I will take them. And if you get the ‘brave’ ones, they will skip the jams by going on restricted bus lanes or pedestrian walk-ways. Illegal but meets my objectives. ;p Try doing this in Sg! haha

3) Bus

They are super cheap – RP2500/3000. Sometimes the smoke that enters the bus do make my throat uncomfortable. But no worries because at certain traffic lights or jammed areas, there will people boarding the bus selling you masks, mineral water, tissues etc. Perfect!

4) Express Bus / Trans Jakarta

If you are in central jakarta, travelling by this mode is way more efficient than Taxis or even Ojeks because of the dedicated bus lane. I can literally speed through the traffic. And they are significantly cheaper and are as comfortable as the busses in Singapore.

5) Angkot / Mini-Vans

They are definitely my alternative to Taxis and Ojeks. Cost about RP3500. I like them because of how they cooperate with one another. When an Angkot is not fully filled, they will transfer you to another Angkot to fill up the other Angkot first. This is to prevent any Angkot from travelling with less than optimal number of passengers, hence maximising the income they get from their effort. An eye-opening cooperation between them which I definitely do not see in Sg.

6) Bajai (I dont know what is their equivalent in Sg)

They save me the hassle of walking for 10min! Simple cute little…. thing. It cost RP3000 and sufficiently meet my needs.

7) KRL / Train

This is the transport common in all my routes to work. No traffic jam and only cost me RP2000. While it is unimaginably packed during peak hours, this experience teaches basic things like humanity, caring for others etc which I take for granted in Sg. Seriously heartwarming and eye-opening I must say. But will save it for another entry.

8) Shuttle Bus

Sometimes, I take this from my home to the train station. Free, aircon, empty and you have nice Indo music accompanying along the way. And surprisingly, it is very disciplined in following its schedule! Relaxed way to travel but not very stimulating way to start my day though. 🙂

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So everyday, I have the many options above which I will choose based on my needs. So one thing I like about Jakarta Transportation System is that I have options and alternatives to best meet my own needs.

Oh I almost forgot. How about my wife who has to travel with 2 kids, a stroller and a big heavy bag to classes, buy groceries etc.

Well the taxi here has no booking fee, only minimum fare which is only about RP40,000. So all she has to do is:

– Book a taxi using a mobile app in just 2 taps.

– Once Taxi arrives, almost all the time the driver will come out and help my wife with the items, and sometimes even help carry my kids into the Taxi.

– When she has groceries, the taxi drivers will help her load and unload the bags and even carry them to my door step.

Can my wife get such a help in Sg? Everyone will agree almost unanimously to the same answer.

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But there is a deeper reason why I like Jakarta’s Transportation System.

Let’s reflect.

The good of Sg System: Things are predictable. You input X you know you will get Y as an output with some acceptable variance. Efficient and productive. You do not have to think about ‘non-core matters’ like how to get to work and just focus on performing your core role as an economic agent. Come to work with crisp dry clothing and fresh mind so that you can contribute productively to the organization you work for.

The bad of Sg System: Things are predictable. You tend to have a certain preconceived way of doing something and certain expectations of what that something should give you. So if that way is prevented, you may be stuck and then what? We start complaining as a form of ‘constructive feedback’. One of the effect of this ‘predictably’ is ‘complacency’….

<Intermission> Hahahaha.. this is interesting. While I am typing this, I am waiting for the train. I am used to waiting at this spot where I know the train door will open in front of me. But when the train stopped and I look up, I was wrong and the crowd has already gathered infront of the train doors. Precisely my point above.) <End>

While I am talking about the transportation system, if we extrapolate this to the other aspects of our lives, we can possibly see a similar pattern.

Because we are in a well-defined and organized environment, our children grow up with these advices: “boy this should be done this way. This is the correct way” and we tend to stay away from uncertainties. Uncertainties are perceived as risks. And risks are uncomfortable for many of us.

But we fail to appreciate the fact that risks are necessary to explore new possibilities. To push our own boundaries to achieve greater things. To plant the tree that will be the shade for others in the future. To make new paths that will open to more opportunities for our young to benefit from. Taking risks is important for our future. But toleration for risk-taking is low in well-defined environment where efficiency and ‘the correct way’ are emphasized.

Maybe this explains why Singaporeans is awesome in making things super efficient and productive. But when in comes to innovation or just creating new things that can change the world… well not there yet.

I know what kind of person I want to be and the kind of family I want to grow. And alhamdulillah, the not-so-simple experience of commuting in Jakarta is important in shaping my own mindset and puts an ‘overall flavour’ to the kind of life I am putting my family through.

So I do honestly like Jakarta Transportation System. 🙂