metro moron
DESCRIPTION
A snapshot of one form of public transport in Jakarta.TRANSCRIPT
This photo essay is my first recent attempt at something
more photojournalistic than my normal stuff, which is
becoming increasingly abstract and often devoid of
people. It’s not art, for sure.
Since some of the best subjects are right under our
noses (or in this case, up our noses?), I decided to
conquer my healthy distrust of public transport to
explore one of Jakarta’s more notorious bus operators.
Rather than writing a lengthy piece to accompany the
photos, which are self-explanatory really, I wrote a
somewhat satirical rhyme to accompany the reader
through the pages; plus a few captions. Anyone who
has visited Jakarta or who is lucky enough to reside
here will know exactly what I am writing about.
It’s a hundred miles from balanced reportage, but to
be honest, right here, right now these buses get the
urban transport job done, and I can’t deny that. The
negative aspects of their service are manifold, including
traffic congestion, risks to public safety and air pollution.
As a long-term guest in this beautiful nation, it’s not
polite for me to criticise too much. Sebastiao Salgado
would surely have taken a braver approach. I’m just
happy to have survived the experience.
I hope you enjoy this essay and that it gives those
unfamiliar with Jakarta an insight into one aspect of
everyday life for the teeming millions who call it home.
Steve
Corporate graphic standards don’treally exist beyond the orange, whiteand blue livery. The logotype appearsin a myriad of forms, from stenciled tohand painted versions.
A typical example of the breed.Coachbuilt in filler over rusty sheetsteel. No signal lamps of course, anda bumper that bears the scars ofcountless collisions with motorists.
We’re not talking visibility here. Thename of the game is ‘cover as muchof the windscreen as possible in gaudyadhesive vinyl.’ It’s not like you needto see where you’re going anyway.
Though bus owners are generallyconsidered a rather macho bunch,they’re obviously not afraid to expresstheir softer, feminine side once in awhile and pretty things up.
Though drivers of smaller vehicles mayfeel the need to keep both hands onthe wheel, a bus can easily be steeredwith one hand at all times, leaving theother hand free to hold your smoke.
Just so you’re all aware that we reallydo care about the environment, we’llwhack a big flower graphic on the filthywindow. There...that should makeeverything better now.
Rumor has it that these buses haddoors once, but little evidence remainsof that today. Besides they’d just getin the way of passengers. And rain andstuff.
Buses jostle for pole position at thetraffic lights as they depart the hecticBlok M bus terminal in Jakarta. Itappears that their impressive ‘trafficcontrol tower’ is unmanned 24/7.
Note the red turn light the busesleaving this terminal routinely ignore,and of course the plume of noxiousdiesel fumes that most Metro Miniscontribute to Jakarta’s air quality.
Says it all really, doesn’t it? That’s ifmacho means being ancient, fallingapart, filthy, smelly, hazardous, noisyand extremely ugly.
You’d think we could use all those bigshiny mirrors to drive more safely.Yeah, right. We just like to get a niceclear view of all the people we’repissing off behind us.
Bus passengers are a captive audiencefor all kinds of street vendors andbuskers, which is just fine if you happento fancy some live music onboard oryou forgot to bring your toothbrush.
Well you can’t say I didn’t warn you,can you? After all, I have the companyreputation to uphold, haven’t I?The 69 is just my route of course.
Metro Moron is my third contribution to the
annual Solo Photo Book Month, or SoFoBoMo.
It’s a web-based group event started in 2008
by Paul Butzi. dubbed ‘The worst photo
competition in the world’ because there are no
prizes and no glory for participants beyond
personal satisfaction. Solo photographers around
the world create and upload photo books in
PDF form, within one ‘fuzzy’ calendar month,
start to finish. Find out more at:
www.sofobomo.org
You can also view my previous SoFoBoMo efforts
and other personal publications online at:
http://issuu.com/stevedodds
Issuu is a fantastic way to self-publish and share
online, as well as discover and connect globally
with the work of others who share your interests.
I thoroughly recommend exploring issuu.com.
Terima kasih! (Indonesian for ‘thank you’)