Traffic
After almost a year being back in Jakarrta, I still couldn't overcome the traffic. It's so bad, well, really bad it almost make me, well again - not almost but already did it couple of times, scream in frustration.
For a start, I am not fond of driving. I enjoy public transportation because there are many things I can do inside public transportation - like reading a book, playing PSP or just listening to iPod. Of course I enjoy driving sometime as long as the traffic is bearable - little traffic jam is okay, major traffic jam is a big no no.
The problem with Jakarta is the public transportation sucks. Period. Of course we have Transjakarta - the magical busway which the local government thought it will solve our traffic problem - well, in some way it did but it's like a patch solution to a really chronic problem. Imagine fixing a broken bone with a Band Aid - that is what our local government did. The Monorail is on the way - way too late - but I have good hope for that - hopefully.
Motorcycle. Jakarta's motorcyclist must die. Well, most of them. I hate them. They are the little devil minions ready to swallow you (and your car) and suck it into the deep fiery hell of confusion, frustration and mental disorder. They ignored all traffic rules. Well, most driver (cars and motorcyle) in Indonesia are ignoring the rules... correction: they probably just don't know the rules to begin with. But once they sit on those tiny motorcycle, they are thinking that they could do anything they want. Including using the pedestarian, stop at the crossing lane in the traffic light, violate traffic light when they saw no incoming traffic, move against the lane - which is really really dangerous and the my most favorite act: driving at night, without light. Well, I know most Jakarta's people have some kind of deathwish but please, don't involve other people on that.
It's a jungle in the street of Jakarta. It will bring the beast out of everyone. And more beasts is not what this country needs.
Comments
Why is it that no matter where you go motorcyclist rebel against the rules of traffic?
I commute to work and I have to sit in traffic which for a whole day results in nearly three hours.
Like you, I prefer not to drive. The only time I enjoy driving is when I'm upset and just want to blow off some steam which at that point I wouldn't really care about traffic because I'd have no actual destination to go to--but then again hitting traffic when you're headed no where could also be a buzz kill.
jakarta public transportation sucks. i hate it too. i prefer driving my own car to using public transportation. in fact, it is more expensive to use private car. but there is no choice.