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P.S. No 1 - Contributed November 1997 by : Anon

QUOTE :

I just read your notice on the expat web site. Are you still interested in driving conditions in Jakarta? Gas (leaded, regular) is fairly inexpensive at Rp 700/liter. The current exchange rate is about Rp 2300/Cdn dollar. We have been in Jakarta since July and opted to lease a Mitsubishi mini van as it saves the hassle of finding insurance and looking after our own repairs.

Anyone who can afford it, which is just about every expat employed by a non-Indonesian company hires a driver. They typically work 5 1/2 days a week for 8 to 10 hours a day. Anything else is overtime. Most drivers WANT overtime. The average salary is about Rp 400,00 per month. Some individuals pay less but usually not less than Rp 300,00. Some companies pay their drivers more. Some families have two vehicles and two drivers. This is usually because the company is paying for the first vehicle/driver or the working partner needs the vehicle during the day. The city is very spread out and taking public transportation is really not a choice too many people take. Taxis are plentiful but if you don't know where you are going the taxi driver probably doesn't know either.

People coming from Montreal might not think the traffic is too bad or the driving scary (ha ha). Traffic really can be a nightmare. Maps are available but not necessarily accurate. Street names change often. A numbering system is non-existent but there are usually numbers on buildings and houses. Most streets do not have a street sign so trying to figure out what street you are on is difficult. Many streets appear as main roads on the map but are no wider than a back lane.

Vehicles are right hand drive so I would not recommend importing a car from Canada. Drivers have to contend with other cars, buses and trucks, pedestrians, motorcycles, motorcycle taxis, hawkers, beggars and vendors with push carts all claiming to have equal access to the street. The object is to squeeze as many vehicles a possible onto one street. If the street is full the motorcycles often use the sidewalk, if there is one. If you must cross the centre white line into the oncoming traffic to get ahead so be it. If enough vehicles cross the centre line you have just created a new line of traffic. It is kind of a informal "reverse lane system" especially useful in rush hour.

Most newcomers should never jump in the front seat of any vehicle as it is too scary. Ride in the back where you can't see as much. Some expats do drive but mostly on Sunday mornings or late at night when the traffic is lighter. I would not recommend this until you have been here awhile. The local drivers know what they are doing and what the other drivers are doing. I think our North American driving values would create more accidents.

I hope this is helpful to you. I have not yet been bored in Jakarta traffic. Hot and tired but not bored. Sincerely,

UNQUOTE.

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