Jakarta. Exploring Jakarta, the bustling capital city of Indonesia, can be an exciting adventure, especially with Transjakarta’s double-decker tourist buses. Unlike regular services, these buses offer themed routes that highlight various landmarks and areas of the city.

Transjakarta currently operates four tourist bus routes: BW 1, BW 2, BW 3, and BW 9. Each route has a distinct theme. For instance, the BW 2 route, known as the Monas Explorer, starts and ends at the IRTI area of the National Monument (Monas).

From Monas, the double-decker bus travels past Jakarta City Hall and heads towards Kebon Sirih. After passing the Tugu Tani statue, it continues to Lapangan Banteng and Pecenongan. Passengers can enjoy views of historic buildings such as the Cathedral Church, Istiqlal Mosque, and the National Gallery Museum. Before returning to Monas, the bus passes the Presidential Palace complex along Jalan Veteran and Medan Merdeka Utara.

In addition to BW 2, the bus stop at IRTI Monas is also the starting point for BW 4. This route, named Jakarta Skyscraper, takes passengers to the business district of Senayan before returning to Monas. Here you can find numerous office towers and upscale malls such as Senayan City and Plaza Senayan.

The BW 1 route, themed Jakarta History, begins and ends its journey from Juanda to the historic Kota Tua (Old Town). Kota Tua houses several museums that provide insights into Jakarta's history and culture. These include the Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta) located in the former city hall of Batavia, which displays artifacts and exhibits related to Jakarta’s past.

Lastly, the BW 9 route serves those who wish to enjoy a tour from Kota Tua to the scenic beachfront Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 1. Located near Jakarta Bay, PIK 1 boasts waterfront views and recreational activities such as waterfront promenades and marinas.

During the journey, passengers are provided with historical information about the buildings they pass by. Several locals interviewed by Beritasatu.com expressed their enjoyment of the sightseeing experience aboard the double-decker bus, particularly appreciating the opportunity to view historic buildings from a different perspective.

"It's a great opportunity to give new knowledge to the kids by taking this bus. Plus, it's free," said Dian, who was traveling with her son on Friday.

Transjakarta charges no fee for passengers who wish to ride the tourist bus. However, passengers are required to tap an electronic money card at the entrance. The tourist bus service operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Despite the limited operating hours, this does not deter residents from spending time exploring the city on these buses.

"I'm happy to try the tourist bus, especially since it went viral on social media. I wanted to try it and now I finally have," said Yemima, another local resident.

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