Viral Passengers Asked to Get Off Transjakarta Bus Due to Odor, Management Apologizes

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - PT Transportasi Jakarta (TransJakarta) apologized after a video of a male passenger being asked to get off the bus at Kampung Melayu Stop, East Jakarta, went viral on social media.

In the video that went viral, a female officer (pramusapa) was seen approaching a male passenger who was sitting in the back seat. The officer then grabbed the passenger's hand and asked him to get off the bus.

Transjakarta confirmed the incident. Management explained that the officer's actions were taken after receiving a report from another passenger who complained of a pungent smell.

Head of the Transjakarta Public Relations and CSR Department, Ayu Wardhani, said his party apologized for the incident.

"In response to the video circulating on social media, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience felt by customers," Ayu said in a statement, Tuesday, August 4.

According to Ayu, officers in the field act based on reports from other service users who feel disturbed.

"Our officers are moving in the field based on reports from other customers at the location, because the smell is very pungent. We have approached the customer concerned, until finally he got off the bus. From the information we got, the customer is a homeless person," explained Ayu.

After that, Transjakarta coordinated with the DKI Jakarta Social Service about the existence of customers, in order to get the appropriate treatment and assistance.

This incident has become a public spotlight because it has sparked a debate about handling vulnerable passengers in public transportation spaces. From this problem, Ayu emphasized that the incident would be the subject of internal evaluation.

"This incident is a material for in-depth evaluation for us. Transjakarta is committed to continue to improve SOPs and train the sensitivity of officers, so that our services not only maintain public comfort, but also always prioritize humanity," he said.