(Transport 2 of 14) - Long-Haul buses (Bis)

Well this section is about semi-long haul buses, such as the intra/inter-city buses and buses to the airport and to near cities such as Bogor. Inter-city buses to other cities in Java and Sumatra (bis antar kota) can be found at the biggest bus stations, and these long-haul buses usually start off at a major bus terminal or a major node, the one near Pulo Mas is “Panggadilan” etc.

List of bus terminals in Jakarta: Blok M (South Jakarta), Lebak Bulus (South Jakarta), Pasar Minggu (South Jakarta), Grogol, Kota, Kalideres (West Jakarta), Manggarai (South Jakarta), Pulogadung (East Jakarta), Rawamangun (East Jakarta), Kampung Melayu (East Jakarta), Kampung Rambutan (South Jakarta), Tanjung Priok (North Jakarta), Senen (Central Jakarta). Passengers from other cities arrive in bus terminals such as Kampung Rambutan (Southeast Jakarta), Pulo Gadung (East Jakarta), Kalideres (West Jakarta) or Lebak Bulus (South Jakarta) and Rawamangun (East Jakarta).



Typical bus terminal, Rawamangun.

There are many types of bus “bis” companies servicing routes in Jakarta. Bus companies include the government-owned PPD and Damri, which provides service to the airport and private inter-city buses include Kowanbisata (that travels directly to Bogor), Agra Mas, Pariwisata etc. Fares range from 7,500rp to 11,500rp. These buses are usually air-conditioned and rather comfortable; seats in these buses are always cushioned (as the ride can be as long as several hours or more).


Kowan Bisata to Bogor, Grogol


Mayasari Bakti









Many of the larger buses seat 20-50 people (depending on type of bus). Some buses are air conditioned like Mayasari bakti and Patas AC; they are more expensive as they are air conditioned buses (Mayasari or Patas AC) cost Rp 5,000. Other bus lines are run by cooperatives like Kopaja, Kojang jaya and Kopami.

Getting on one is a very simple affair, short-haul Angkots wait to cram as many people into the vehicle as possible, but long-haul buses do not run according to any schedule or timetable, buses remain at the bus-station, waiting for people to trickle in and only leaving when the bus is full or a majority of the seats are taken up.


Typical street bus

All buses have set routes and set fares, but not set schedules. Passengers usually get a seat and nobody stands; people are either sitting on the steps or in empty areas if it is a popular route (i.e Bogor – Jakarta route). And whenever the driver feels like it, will leave the terminal, waiting times usually do not exceed over half an hour.

The only affordable form of public transportation to the airport begins at major bus terminals and travels directly to the airport; the only provider is the DAMRI bus company. DAMRI charges a very reasonable fee from 20,000rp (depending on the bus terminal you embark from) to 35,000rp. The bus is air-conditioned and the seats are plush and comfortable, the ride is a non-smoking ride (a very noteworthy mention), all in all a comfortable hour-plus ride depending on where you embarked.




Bus Conductor

Once the buses are underway, a conductor will come around for the fare, which you pay to him directly, and not from a ticketing counter or upon boarding the bus.

You may need to spare some coins before boarding the bus, since there is on-board "entertainment" and other distractions. Always keep some small change in your pocket for buskers and beggars who will board the bus and play any kind of imaginable instrument, from make-shift pipe-drums to violins and guitars, to water-bottle percussion shakers and I have even experienced a poet.


Buskers on the bus

On a typical day, you may find street musicians singing unplugged versions of Indonesian songs asking for donations at the end of the performance, and all forms of hawkers and peddlers boarding the bus to peddle their wares, street vendors, one after another, trying to sell almost everything, starting from ballpoint pens, candies, to boxed donuts and health goods as well as hot food, hot cup corn, drinks, snacks, cakes, toys, torch-lights, caps, household utensils, cosmetics, school text books, notebooks, cigarettes etc. You name it! There’s a peddler out there who has it for sale.

Bus passengers are often the target for robberies, street singers, and beggars - both on the buses and in the major bus terminals. If you do happen to be traveling in a bus, refrain from sitting or standing at the back area of the bus as this is where muggers find their prey. Always keep an eye on your belongings and be alert at all times as pick pocketing occurs. You'll need to speak at least functional Indonesian to manage, and the terminals are notorious for muggers and pickpockets, peddlers and scammers.

The beginning and end points of each bus route are found on the front and back of each bus, along with a route number. If you don't know which bus to take, just ask the people at the bus stop and they'll tell you (In Indonesian, of course).


Rawamangun terminal







DAMRI Bus at the terminal