PUBLIC TRANSPORT BETWEEN INDONESIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Public transport is one of the factors which is used to decide and measure the progress of a country, whether it is making a progress or not. A few months ago I lived in New Zealand, and I often heard people say that New Zealand’s public transport is one of the best public transport systems. It has a good service and always on time, even though for some New Zealanders it is getting worse than before. In some aspects, New Zealand’s public transport is a little bit similar to Indonesia but in many ways, it is much better than Indonesia. This essay will compare and contrast the public transport of Indonesia as my origin country with New Zealand.

Both countries are similar in some aspects but different as well in a number of aspects. In Indonesia and New Zealand, as in other countries which are making progress now, public transport systems are changing, especially in the services are much better than before. Both governments of these two countries are making many new infrastructures, such as new roads and rails for better service. However, even though there are some similarities between Indonesia and New Zealand, such as kind or types of public transport and system of transport, there are differences in the way of service and in the case of the ownership.

There are similarities between these two countries’ public transport systems. Firstly, in general, transportation of these two countries are similar. In Indonesia and New Zealand, most of the public transports are buses and trains. Most of the people in both countries rely on these two main methods of transport for travelling. Secondly, both countries which are well known as islands countries mainly depend on ferries for inter-island transport. Big numbers of the ferry are provided by the government to serve the passengers who want to travel from one island to another island.

However, despite these similarities, there are a greater number of differences as well. First of all, the ownership of public transport. The owner or the one who runs the public transport in both countries is quite different. Most of the public transports in New Zealand is run by the government. It is hard to find public transport, like bus which is owned by someone, and that’s why it easy for the government to control or to monitor the system of the public transport. The government is responsible to decide the cost for public transport. In contrast, most of Indonesia's public transport, like buses are owned by private, and only few that run by the government, especially in the countryside, and that’s why it is easy for the owner or driver to change the price.

Secondly, the convenient aspect which is important as well. Most of New Zealand’s public transports are more convenient and reliable than Indonesia. Travelling by public transport in New Zealand is much safer and more comfortable. You do not need to care too much about your things and stuff, because no one will steal it. On the other hand, public transport in Indonesia is not that convenient and reliable. Once you take a public transport like buses or trains you need to be careful with everything that you carry. Otherwise, someone may steal your things.

And the last one, which I think is the biggest difference between two countries is New Zealand public transports are run with an online system which much easier for the passenger, not only to know the timetable but also you can pay online. With a card which we have been top up, we can easily travel by bus, train or ferry. By contrast, Indonesian public transport is still using cash to pay, which is dangerous for the safety of passenger as well, because someone may try to steal your money. But for sure, as long as you look after yourself, no one will steal your belongings, because there are many kind people than people with bad intention.

As a conclusion, both countries, New Zealand and Indonesia rely on public transport, like buses, trains and ferries for travelling intercity. But based on my experience and as far as I saw New Zealand public transport service is much better than what we have in Indonesia.