Dear Readers,
Java Island in indonesia is a race-track to eighty million motorcycles. And the world's best bus transportation system.
The Bus Transportation is divided into four categories. Plush air-conditioned cruisers, Executive Buses, Economy Buses and ankots(Covered mini-vans). They connect the whole island and ply in all villages; towns and cities.Ankots and Economy buses are staffed by a driver and conductor. They provide the ultimate in customer-service. They will die for their customer. Sadly, sometimes they do. Service on board Singapore Airlines pales in comparison.
Ankots and Economy buses stop anywhere for their customers. Even in the middle of a busy road or in the centre of an intersection. If they can't for some reason, stop, run alongside, and the conductor who hangs out of the back door, will sweep you up gracefully into the vehicle. Many Economy buses and ankots provide a mini live band for customer entertainment (I swear this is true). Customers pay a humble two cents for this. Iced drinks, snacks, newspapers and cigarettes are sold on board. You can even sometimes buy something as extraordinary as a Javanese speaking parrot.
There seems to be millions of buses. Especially Economy buses and Ankots. There is one born every minute. As a result transportation for a traveler is excellent. A wait for a bus in a town or city rarely exceeds five minutes. A great way to meet Javanese.More personalized transportation is available.” Ojeks,” or motorcycle taxis are available to take you anywhere and especially where buses can't go. The fare averages around 50cents with including free use of the helmet. Traffic rules don't apply to “ojeks” therefore they take the shortest distance between two points, even if it means going against the traffic or leaping over road dividers.
Thank you, Readers.
JS
p.s Contributed by Mervyn. His full article on Java island can be read at http://www.trifter.com/Asia-&-Pacific/Indonesia/Java-Island.108811
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