Angkot in Jakarta - Love and Hate

Angkot is Indonesia slang for city transport. Angkot in Bahasa Indonesia stands for "Angkutan Kota". It is a micro van that is typically a Suzuki Carry or Toyota Kijang that has been re-designed to accommodate more passengers. All back seats are removed, replace by two long dark-benches covered with foam. Do not expect comfort because those benches are as hard as wood. Normally, an angkot can carry up to 12 passengers but sometimes it can carry extra two or even four more persons, depend on the driver's "generosity". Every driver has daily target income and they are forced to reach it at all cost.

Angkot is popular for its agility and wide of area covered. Angkot route may include residential complex which has so many narrow road where a bus can not enter. Therefore in some places, people do not have to walk to the nearest bus stop, instead they just stand outside their house, waiting for angkot.

Angkot has no air conditioner. Windows are always opened, allow the fresh air comes in. Being inside meaning you have to prepare for being packed like sardine. When the angkot gets stuck in traffic jam, the car turns into sauna. Like all public transport in Indonesia, you can catch angkot anywhere you want. Need no a bus stop. If you stand on street and you see an angkot is approaching, the driver will sound his horn. A single "honk" means, "hei, need a ride?" If you wish to ride, wave your hand, if not just shake your head or pretend not seeing him.

Once you get inside, expected the unexpected. Try not to fall a sleep no matter how sleepy you are. Pickpocket has been part of public transport romance since a long time ago. Best spot in angkot is in the front side, next to the driver. It is safest.

If you had reached your destination, tap the window with coin, pen or your finger to inform the driver to stop. Angkot has no stopping bell. You pay to the driver once you get outside. The fare rate is vary, depends on route and distance. Riding on an angkot also mean testing your patience. If you find an angkot in the corner of the street and you see there are only a few passengers inside, it means the angkot is waiting for more ones. And it will stay there until the load is full. You may want to consider another transportation option, if you can't wait. Sometimes, there are a few of them those do not wait till it is full. The driver may say "Langsung! Langsung!" meaning it will depart once you get inside, but don't take it for granted. He may change his mind and decide to wait a little longer, hoping he can attract another one or two more passengers.

Though many angkot drivers are lack of discipline, they stop anywhere they want, turn without signal, ignoring speed limit (either too slow or too fast), ignoring traffic light (red means green and green remains green, of course) angkot remains as one of most favorites transportation option between woman and children. You will always get a seat, things that rarely happens on bus, and since their population number is fantastic, if you miss an angkot, the next one will appear in less than a minute, thus this becomes another problem for Jakarta traffic.