Bus Crew’s Hope for Big Gains Crumbles

The opportunity for bus crew to reap cash gains has dissipated, yet again as people hold back from traveling. Mudik [exodus] is prohibited as the government aims to curb the spread of Covid-19.

KOMPAS/I GUSTI AGUNG BAGUS ANGGA PUTRA

Bus crews offer transportation services to ship passengers who have just arrived at Merak Port, Banten, Wednesday (28/4/2021). The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the number of ship passengers to drop dramatically.

Four bus driver assistants waved to solicit a group of people walking out of the Merak ferry port, Banten, Tuesday afternoon (27/4/2021). However, the people responded by shaking their heads. The group has apparently gotten used to failing to draw passengers these days as Andi Setiawan (25) has.

He has not managed to get a single passenger in the last three days. Working for Asli Prima bus operator, providing services for Merak-Kalideres (Jakarta) route, he said that amid uncertainty, he had opted not to return home to Cipulir, South Jakarta due to costly fuel and toll tickets while earnings have drastically dropped.