The Frustration of Getting a Bus in Indonesia

Summary

Traveling by bus in Indonesia can be an unpredictable experience due to the lack of fixed schedules and the practice of waiting for the bus to fill up before departure.

Abstract

The article "The Frustration of Getting a Bus in Indonesia — Expectation Vs Reality" highlights the unpredictability of bus travel in Indonesia, where the concept of a scheduled departure time is virtually non-existent. Instead, buses leave only when they are full, regardless of the posted time. The author recounts a personal experience where a bus scheduled to leave at 10 am didn't depart until 12.45 pm because it was waiting to be filled with passengers. Despite the driver's absence until midday and the lack of urgency observed among locals, the author suggests that travelers should come prepared with snacks, patience, and no tight schedules on bus travel days. The article also serves as a subtle call to action, inviting readers to support the author by becoming a Medium Member or subscribing for updates on new stories.

Opinions

The author implies that the concept of punctuality and adherence to schedules is not a priority in Indonesian bus travel.
There is a sense of humor and resignation in the author's tone, as they suggest that time, schedules, and the idea of being late may not translate into the Indonesian bus travel experience.
The author recommends bringing snacks and patience for bus journeys and avoiding making plans on bus days, indicating a need for flexibility and adaptation when traveling in Indonesia.
The author's opinion on the local passengers' reaction to the waiting time suggests a cultural difference in expectations around public transportation efficiency.
By sharing their experience, the author indirectly advises future travelers to adjust their expectations and be prepared for a different approach to time and travel in Indonesia.
The author's invitation to readers to become Medium Members or subscribe to their stories indicates a desire to build a community of engaged readers who appreciate such travel narratives.

When does the bus leave, who knows?

Don’t be fooled into thinking there’s such a thing as a 10 am bus in Indonesia.

A time + a bus does not exist.

We were told that the bus never leaves at a time; it leaves when it’s full. It doesn’t matter when that is; all that matters is that it’s full.

At 11.15 am, the bus was finally full. We had passengers but no driver. Fifteen minutes later, he pops over, and as quickly as he comes, he’s gone.

It’s noon, and I’m sat on the side of the road now wondering if the words time, schedule, or late appear in the Indonesian language? None of the locals seem remotely bothered by the wait, so perhaps not?

The driver kindly showed up at 12.45 pm, and we set off.

Since then, we have always brought snacks, some patience, and we never made any plans on bus days!

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Georgina Nelson. Traveller. Writer. Photographer. Yoga teacher.

Sh*t Happens — because the things that go wrong make the funniest stories

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The Frustration of Getting a Bus in Indonesia — Expectation Vs Reality

When does the bus leave, who knows?