For those who are unfamiliar with my home city of Jakarta, the sight below would be rather unusual. Jakarta's bad traffic is definitely the number one factor why people don't like this city despite its continuous buzz 24/7. Being the capital of the world's 4th most populated country in the world clearly shows in the everyday traffic of Jakarta.
The municipal government is trying to improve the situation (... present continuous; they are yet to suceed) by enforcing 3 in 1 rules, setting up a busway system -- all to no avail. In the recent weeks, a radio station that I normally listen to started a program for organised hitchiking. Similar to the notice board often found in hostels in Europe offering lifts to a particular route, the morning show DJs act as a notice board for those who need help with commuting for work. Those who want to get extra passengers for whatever reason can simply send a text message stating what time they're leaving their area and the route they will be passing. Similarly, those who need a lift can scream for help, too. The radio station just collects the information-- the parties involved must make their own appointments and decide on cost involved, etc.
Remember the old saying of, "Don't talk to strangers?"
It is nice and refreshing that despite the height of crime and despair in this metropolitan city, human goodness and faith can still be found in the small form of participating in an organised hitchiking. This concept can only work where there is a basic trust among all the parties. And that, is not something that is easy to come by.
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