Jakarta by taxi
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Beware the false Blue Bird
Blue Bird's reputation has spawned a host of dodgy imitators, so just because it's blue doesn't mean it's safe. Check the following before you get in:
- Door and roof logo is either the Blue Bird or the Pusaka/Lintas "flying egg"
- Windshield says "Blue Bird Group"
- Driver is in uniform
- Headrests have Blue Bird logos
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Most visitors opt to travel by taxi, which is cheap and occasionally even fast. There are a multitude of taxi companies of varying degrees of dependability.
The Blue Bird group ☎+62 21 79171234, (24 hr) is known for their reliability, has an efficient telephone order service and always use their meter.
The Blue Bird group also runs Silver Bird, Morante, Cendrawasih and Pusaka Nuri taxis, They normally use late model Toyota Vios sedans.
The Silver Bird executive taxi charges a premium for a larger car, normally a Mercedes Benz C & E Class or a Toyota Vellfire).
Some other large, generally reliable companies include Taxiku, Express , Dian Taksi, and newly established Taxicab. You can generally determine a good cabbie by asking "argo?" ("meter?") - if they say no or "tidak", get another taxi. Taxis parked near train/bus stations, tourist attractions, and hotels often refuse to use the meter and quote silly prices (especially from foreigners) - in this case, it's a good idea to walk away a bit, then hail a passing Blue Bird taxi.
A cheaper option is to take a TARIF BAWAH (low tariff) taxi - Putra (dark blue) is regarded as a reasonable TARIF BAWAH taxi, though not of a comparable standard to Blue Bird. Many of these "Tarif Lama" or Tarif Bawah" taxi are mechanically unsound and have drivers of highly questionable skill. They also often engage in determined efforts to overcharge.
The standard taxi rate (effective February 2009) for Blue Bird is Rp 6,000 flag-fall, and Rp 3,000/km after the first 2 km. Taxis marked TARIF BAWAH use the older, cheaper rate (flag-fall fare is Rp 5,000 typically), while Silver Bird is more expensive. Tipping is not necessary but rounding the meter up to the nearest Rp 1,000 is expected, so prepare some change, or else you may be rounded up to the nearest Rp 5,000.
Beware that some of the less reputable taxi operators may use a rigged meter. If using one of these less reputable taxi you may end up paying significantly more than when using one from the more reliable Blue Bird service. If you have no idea how much the taxi fare to your destination should be, it is better to stick to the companies mentioned above, even the locals do this, or just use a Blue Bird.
Keep the doors locked and the windows closed when travelling in a taxi, as luxury items or a bag can be an attractive target when stuck in a traffic jam or traffic light. Avoid using the smaller taxi companies especially if you are alone, and try to know the vague route - the driver might well take you a roundabout route to avoid traffic, but you will know the general direction. Stating your direction clearly and confidently will usually pre-empt any temptation to take you on the long route. It is also not uncommon for taxi drivers to be recent arrivals in Jakarta - they often don't know their way around and may be relying on you to direct them - ensure that they know the way before you get in.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Jakarta
