Jakarta and Traffic

Two words that buzzed for me for almost one month in Jakarta. The (soon-to-be-moved) capital of Indonesia.

From out of the house until back in the house again, the people of Jakarta can’t remove the traffic ghost.

At first, I thought that this city is full of people who are in a hurry. From the street to the highway, they are in a hurry everywhere. At a glance, there are motorbikes, cars, and trucks that race to find a way through the traffic jam.

Even when public transportation is available, like Transjakarta or MRT, most people still like to use a motorcycle because it is more convenient and faster.

But there is one thing that makes me interested in this city, almost all people in Jakarta prioritize others first. Not as many people say that Jakarta Street must be the winner. Everyone accepts or is resigned to that “beautiful” traffic.

Every day, I see different times of traffic jams. Yes, it must be heavier in the morning and evening. when everyone goes to work or goes back. But sometimes, at 10 p.m., there is a traffic jam too. Strange?

Jakarta is one of the busiest cities in the world. The traffic is always buzzing, and it can be quite overwhelming for first-time visitors. However, once you get used to it, the city’s energy is infectious. The traffic is just a part of life here, and the locals have learned to navigate it.

That’s what I call “buzzing traffic”.