A number of TransJakarta bus passengers staged a protest at Block M Bus Stop, South Jakarta, , Monday (6/23), because they are obligated to use electronic ticket (e-ticket) to ride TransJakarta bus in corridor I.

I’ve got flash and e-money Mandiri cards. But why I must have ATM account in that bank to top up my card? Why can’t I top up by using cash?

“What is this? I should buy another card from other bank?!” protested Toni Tobing, one of bus passengers who scolded a counter officer.

According to Tobing, he already has two e-ticket cards from different banks which all bought at TransJakarta bus counter.

“ I’ve got flash and e-money Mandiri cards. But why I must have ATM account in that bank to top up my card? Why can’t I top up by using cash? ” he lamented.

Tobing admitted that he is disappointed with TransJakarta’s policy which has been imposed since May 5.

“I bought the cards a month ago. I haven’t used them for two weeks because there is no stock of electronic money in this (Blok M) bus stop. Thus, I had to use the ticket again,” he disclosed.

Similar statement also came out from Fadillah, another TransJakarta bus passenger who works in a private company on Jalan MH Thamrin.

“I bought this Mandiri e-money some time ago, and still can use it to buy ticket in here yesterday. But now, I have to use e-ticket again and cannot top up Rp 5,000,” he told.

Fadillah is quite upset because his e-money card cannot be topped up just because it is produced from different bank.

“I only have BNI account, and cannot top up my card via Mandiri Bank. Instead, I was advised to buy another card from BNI. This is confusing and extravagance. It should be like buying top up for cell phone. We pay and then the card topped up. Don’t have to have similar account,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, TransJakarta bus counter officers cannot do anything to explain the policy in detail.

“I’m just running my duty. Indeed, all passengers must use the card today,” he stated.