(Transport 4 of 14) - Short-Route buses (Metromini/Kopaja)

By far the most common and the most relied upon types of transportation is the “Angkot”, (Angkutan Kota) or “City Transportation”, comprising of mikrolet (mini-buses) and angkots (small vans) that ply most of the streets.

There are many types of short-route buses, the Metro Mini and Kopaja, Kojang jaya and Kopami. Buses are the most common transport of the masses; whilst a highly reliable form of transportation, they are almost always in poor condition, literally running metal tin-cans with a wailing and screeching engine, conversation is nearly impossible with the constant blaring of horns, the constant wail of the strained engine and yells of the conductor yelling the destination that they are headed to.

Unlike long-haul buses where seats are padded and relatively comfortable, seats on angkots are hard and tough and are built for Indonesians who're typically shorter and more slender and agile than people with a larger build such as Caucasians.

Non-Indonesians might find the seats in these buses to be confined and uncomfortable.
Whilst they are buses, they are not referred to as “bis” on the streets, but as “Angkots”. “Bis”-es are usually referred to for long-haul inter-city type of buses such as those mentioned in the previous section. Angkots typically ply a relatively short and linear route and are comparable to “feeder-buses” in Singapore. Commuters typically ride only for a short while to get to another location nearby.

The most interesting this about Angkots compared to more modern transportation systems in other countries are that the Angkots do not stop at bus stops. They stop wherever they can pick up a passenger be it in the middle of the road or on a busy intersection. Buses do not necessarily come to a complete stop for passengers to get off and on and that can sometimes be a harrowing experience. But do note that there are intersections and junctions that people frequently board or disembark and these locations although not marked by any signs or shelters, act as de-facto alighting and waiting points for the Angkots.

If you want to get off, simply say "kiri" (to the left) to the "kondektur" or just knock on the ceiling of the bus a few times (be sure that the driver hears your thumping), and the bus driver will find a place to drop you. An additional tip to alight from these buses is to use your left foot first to maintain balance and try to get down as quickly as possible as they do not fully stop the bus. Pay the driver directly before you alight or pay the “conductor”, who is usually hanging out the back door. He won't have change for big bills. kondektur will personally collect the fares from passengers, if there isn’t a conductor, you pay the driver directly, the flat fare for all destinations is only Rp 2,000 ($0.28), twenty-eight CENTs regardless of distance.

Sometimes a bus may take a while to come, in other circumstances it is possible that two of the same bus routes may come together and these drivers will definitely drive aggressively in order to get more passengers. They do not stop at any particular bus stop and can stop just about anywhere they like. Many bus drivers are notoriously dangerous as they race against each other to try and pick up passengers before the other buses plying the same route.

Breakdowns are infrequent, but they can happen. And you must be alert when you board the bus, not only for the safety of your belongings, but also pay attention to where the driver is going. Drivers of these Angkots literally do just about anything they want, stop to rest at a junction (with passengers still on board), entering a gas-station to pump petrol, detouring to buy a cigarette, or even making a short-cut through another road (that may skip your intended stop completely), hence you must be alert to your surroundings. There aren’t any “announcements” or “expected” stops for areas. And definitely do not display expensive personal effects up Angkots as they are prone to pickpockets.

I’ve come to rely and very much depend on the angkots for all my basic transportation needs. It grows onto you and if you know the city and the system well enough, you will find that it is a joy to ride because it is cheap and gets you to where you want to go.