PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN BATAM
One thing good about travelling in batam is that its road conditions is not as congested as johor bahru due to less vehicles on the road. Although Batam does not have many highway or big roads, there are many short cuts one can take in the city (small lanes) to avoid or bypass the heavy traffic ahead to reach its destination faster.
As for taking Batam public transport, the drivers usually pick up and drop off passengers at any place and any time unlike spore. Pedestrians are advised to be more careful when crossing the road as most of the vehicle will not give way to pedestrian even though there is a pedestrian crossing road mark.
Example: crossing the road to nagoya hill mall from bridge massage / alfa mart. Unlike malaysia has many overhead bridge and singapore has many underpass, pedestrian crossing the road in batam requires some crossing skill.. (crossing road in vietnam is lagi more terok
)
As we already know that there are a few mode of public transport in batam and each type of public transport can cater to different needs, different groups of passengers and on different occasions :
The Ojek is the so called unlicensed motorcycle taxi which can only take one passenger behind only.
Pros
1) Brings its passenger faster to his/her destination as it can travel through small lanes and beat traffic jam. Lone ranger man or booking joints cewek favourite..
2) They are generally easy to hire as they can be easily found anywhere in the city, usually can be identified by their "spare helmet" and they often ride their motorbikes slowly to look for passengers.
3) Would not say it is cheap but economical. A short distance negotiable fare is about 10k rupiah. Cheaper than teksi (taxi in bahasa) but more expensive than metro van / bus.
Cons
1) Cannot accomodate 2 passengers who wish to travel together.
2) Be it rain or shine, the passenger has to endure the weather.
3) Could be slightly risky if the driver rider does not ride carefully. (汽车是铁包人,摩托车是人包铁)
4) Inconvenient if the passenger is carrying some belonging or grocery
The Teksi- pronounced as "tuck see". Generally two type of taxi : private sedan non-metered taxi (霸王车) and taxi company metered taxi.
As you are aware that majority of taxis in Batam are non-metered taxis and do not have the taxi-sign on the roof of the car. These private non-metered taxis usually use old type of sedans and usually in black color and the driver can also take other passengers even though you are already in the car, unless you say you “charter” or bao the taxi.
These non-metered taxis can be easily found on the side of main streets, in ferry terminals, airport, and other public places.
Non-metered taxi fares depend on how far or close your destination and all fares are negotiable. So please feel free to bargain to get a cheaper fare in order not to spoilt the market...hehe
As for metered taxi, Silver Cab and Blue Bird taxis use a digital meter machine and can issue a payment receipt upon reaching destination.
Blue Bird taxi can be reached at +62 778 421234.
Silver Cab call be contacted at +62 778 461 000
Pros
1) Suitable for people travelling with families and friends. Toyota Avanza taxi can sit 6 passengers while Toyota Innova taxi can sit 8 passengers. Can also bring your barang barang along together with booking cewek, hehe..
2) They are easy to hire as can be easily found anywhere in the city, especially the non-metered taxis. Can telephone booking in advance to the taxi company should you need to arrive at your destination on time.
3) Comfortable air-con with shelter from weather.
4) Safer than other mode of transport
Cons
1) Most expensive way of travelling. Usually the supir/driver like to chop carrot on foreigners unless you possess the skill of negotiation.
2) Driver likes to pester male passenger to book cewek, go to restaurant and book hotel so that he can get a commission from booking joints, restaurant boss and hotel operators besides his taxi fare.
The Angkot is a metro trans or mini van that can be easily identified by their colors. Below are some angkot routes based on their colors:
Jodoh - Nongsa/Airport =
White/Pink angkot
Jodoh - Bengkong =
Green angkot
Jodoh - Batu Aji - Tanjung Uncang via Batam Centre =
Dark blue angkot
Jodoh - Batu Aji via Sukajadi =
Maroon angkot
Muka Kuning - Batu Aji =
Brown angkot
Bengkong - Muka Kuning =
Yellow angkot
Angkot can accommodate about 8-9 people (including the driver).
Pros
1) Metro van fares in Batam depend on how far or close your destination is. But it is the second cheapest form of transport in Batam. For example, from Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal to Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall will cost you only about 6k-8k rupiah compared to taxi which cost about 10 times more at 70k rupiah.
2) Can hop in for short travel, for example I took angkot van from main road near morning bakery to nagoya hill mall at only 3000 rupiah only..dirt cheap since the route got pass by nagoya hill. From nagoya hill i walk to formosa. You can speak to them in simple english or bahasa, some may understand.
Cons
1) Due to limited space in angkot, for travellers who carry a lot of luggages, taking angkot van is not a good choice.
2) No air con but the windows are normally open.
3) Stop at many places to fetch passenger so the travel time tends to take longer. Not suitable if you are on a rush.
Public Bus in Batam is also known as Trans Batam. It was implemented in early 2016 this year.
The bus services start from and end at 3 locations namely Sekupang, Batu Aji and Batam Center. Bus fare is 4k per trip.
Currently there are 2 bus routes in Batam :
Batam Centre-Batu Aji and Batam Centre-Sekupang with the same fares of 4k rupiah flat.
The public buses can be board in front of Harris Hotel Batam Centre.
Pros
1) Taking public bus is the cheapest way of transport as it travel a long journey but at a low price..4k rupiah.
2) Passenger with luggage should not be an issue as ample space in the bus
Cons
1) Passengers who do not have much spare-time in Batam should not take bus because the bus always depart 30-45 minutes later than its schedules or maybe even more.
2) Do not stop at many places in the city unlike the ojek/taxi/van. Mainly stop at designated bus stop.