TRANSPORTATION

BECAK, BEMO, BAJAJ

For travel within one’s own area or neighborhood, the becak ( a three wheeled Pedicab ) offers inexpensive and convenient transportation. Certain areas and streets of the city are forbidden to becaks during some or all of the daylight hours. Settle on a price before starting out.

The helicak ( motorized tricycle with a cabin ), bemo ( like the helicak but larger ) and opelet ( small truck with seating in back ) operate, like the becak, only in certain zones and at restricted times, do not expect the operators of any of these vehicles to speak English.

TAXIS

For travelling from one section of Jakarta to another, a taxi is the safest and most convenient from of transportation. Licensed taxis are usually equipped with a meter, but can also be hired on an hourly basis. In addition, there are a number of private taxis which usually charge a flat hourly rate, but one can always bargain. Both types of taxis can be hired from taxi stands or parking areas located throughout the city and at the major hotels. Licensed taxi can be summoned by telephone some taxi companies also offer rental service, including driver, on a daily or weekly basis.

BUSES

Although cheap and plentiful, Jakarta buses are crowded and often difficult to board. The color of the bus indicates its route or area of operation. It is best to ask at the bus park for guidance.

For travel to cities and towns only three to four hours from Jakarta, there is also a door-to-door minibus service, which carries 10 – 12 passengers.

TRAINS

Trains connect Jakarta with other cities in java. Both the bima and mutiara are air-conditioned express trains operating between Jakarta and Surabaya, Bima, which travel via Yogyakarta, has sleepers, two to a unit in first class, three in economy. Mutiara, which stops in Semarang, has seats only. Both include meals in the train fare. Reservation may be made in advance through a travel agency for a small charge, but tickets are available only one day in advance.

The Parahiyangan, the fast train to Bandung, offers several services a day. Some have air-conditioned coaches, others, large fans, all are well maintained and have food available. Tickets may be picked up two days in advance from a travel agent, or at the station one hour before departure. Regular day trains make more stops, have no air-conditioning, but offer an interesting view of rural java for a much cheaper rate, it is best to take your own food and water, although fruit and snacks maybe purchased from vendors. As trains are heavily booked, it is often difficult to obtain tickets at the last minute.