Bandung Express
| File:Bandung Express AKAP Surabaya–Bandung (Oktober 2022).jpg Bandung Express bus with Jetbus3+ body upon arrival at Purabaya Bus Terminal, 2022 | |
| Founded | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Jalan Soekarno-Hatta 732, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia |
| Service area | |
| Service type | |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Chief executive | Andrea Budiman Praptono |
PT Bandung Express Sejahtera Transport is a Indonesian bus company headquartered in Bandung, West Java. Established in 1973, Bandung Express is one of the largest bus companies in Bandung and is still operating today, serving long-distance inter-provincial bus routes across Java and Bali. The head office and main garage are located at Jalan Soekarno-Hatta 732, Ujungberung, Bandung.
History
Bandung Express began its business journey in 1973, initially using the name Bandung Cepat. At that time, Bandung was already known as a city with tourism attractions: many people made it a weekend getaway destination due to its cool atmosphere and mountain climate. Thus, the presence of bus companies such as Bandung Cepat is important as a mode of land transportation to fulfill mobility from and to Bandung.[1][2]
It is unknown who the first owner of Bandung Cepat was. However, when the first owner was unable to continue the business, a man named A.J. Bagyo Pratomo took over the bus company. Drawing on his experience working at Remaja Express, which had existed since the 1970s, the company's assets were sold to A.J. Bagyo. Thanks to his "knowledge," the company, originally named Bandung Cepat, was renamed Bandung Express. This bus company has grown significantly, not only in passenger services, but also expanding into package/cargo, workshop, and bodywork manufacturing.[1]
Over time, the land transportation market in Bandung and its surroundings began to experience competition—with the emergence of other POs such as Kramat Djati and Rajawali, for example. Despite this, Bandung Express has managed to survive and remains popular with the public as a highly reliable alternative. This resilience demonstrates that its long-standing reputation and customer loyalty are important strengths for the company. Bandung Express's development continues to expand—not only serving night intercity and intercity buses, but also providing tour bus, employee buses, as well as courier and cargo services. During the mudik season or long holidays, Bandung Express's bus services become a popular choice for the public.[1]
One of the interesting aspects of Bandung Express is the figure of one of the current leaders, a woman named Jennifer (known by her nickname Miss Jeny), who is nicknamed the "Engine Queen" by Indonesian bus enthusiasts. In addition to managing Bandung Express, she is known for her expertise in mechanical engineering—Jeny often steps in to repair buses when they break down, even once repairing a bus for 24 hours when her fleet had problems in Bali. In the Bandung Express garage, she also collects antique cars and carries out modifications by replacing engines, polishing bodies, and even reassembling vehicles, including using racing engines for her collection of Volkswagens. Due to its dedication to mechanics and workshops, Bandung Express is said to have produced many skilled mechanics through training and hands-on experience in the field.[2]
Fleet
From the late 1980s through the 2000s, Bandung Express was known as a bus company that consistently followed trends in Mercedes-Benz buses, particularly those using the OH series (rear-engine) chassis. In the late 1980s, the company operated buses with the "Banteng" body, a body assembled by German Motor Manufacturing (GMM). The company is a subsidiary of PT Star Motors Indonesia, the sole agent for the Mercedes-Benz Truck brand in Indonesia. The presence of the Banteng body on the Bandung Express fleet at that time was considered very advanced, because the manufacturing quality was considered equivalent to the production standards of Mercedes-Benz Truck & Bus in Germany, both in terms of materials, assembly precision, and construction durability, thus reflecting the image of a modern and classy bus at that time.[3][1]
In addition to the Banteng body, Bandung Express also used Neoplan bodywork, the first bus body produced by the Adi Putro bodywork company. The use of Neoplan bodies placed Bandung Express on par with other major bus companies, such as Kramat Djati and Safari Dharma Raya, which also operated similar models. Neoplan bodies are known for their monocoque construction, as opposed to conventional frame-based construction, and are equipped with air suspension. At that time, this technology was still relatively rare and became a symbol of "premium" buses, because it was able to provide better driving comfort, especially for long-distance trips. Fleets with this body were generally used by Bandung Express to serve long routes, one of which was the Bandung-Denpasar route.[1][4]
Entering the 2000s and beyond, the composition of the Bandung Express fleet began to be dominated by buses with bodies assembled independently through their internal bodywork division, namely Bandung Express Carrosserie (BEC).[5] This division developed a body design that imitated the style of buses produced by Adi Putro which were popular in Indonesia, such as Setra, Travego, to Jetbus. This approach allows Bandung Express to adapt the design, specifications, and operational needs of its fleet more flexibly, while maintaining the continuity of the bus's modern visual identity and following market tastes at the time. The distinctive feature of the Bandung Express bus is its white exterior paint scheme, complemented by irregular patterns of red, green, and blue. [6]
Routes
Intercity Bus
Bandung Express focuses its business activities on intercity and interprovincial bus (AKAP) services with Bandung City as its main departure point. This bus company serves various routes to major cities on the island of Java, including Semarang and Surakarta, Central Java;[7] Yogyakarta;[5] and Surabaya, East Java.[5] In addition to these routes, Bandung Express also operates long-distance routes across the island, with routes The furthest route is Bandung–Denpasar, Bali, which is one of the company's flagship services and reflects the company's role in connecting Bandung with various economic and tourism centers in Indonesia.[2]
Bandung Express serves executive class with a 2-2 seating configuration.[8] In 2009, Bandung Express still adopted the traditional ticket booking system, namely through bus agents. A study conducted by a student at Telkom Institute of Technology recommends that Bandung Express adopt a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-based ticket booking system using a MySQL database and written in WML and PHP programming languages. This allows prospective passengers to book bus tickets via mobile phone without having to go to an agent. [9] With the availability of bookings through a number of websites, Bandung Express tickets can be booked online, along with other bus companies. [10]
Courier
In addition to serving intercity buses, Bandung Express also provides courier.[6] With the increasing demand for package delivery and easy access to toll roads, the package delivery service via Bandung Express's intercity and interprovincial buses has become popular due to its greater flexibility: pick-up on the road is possible without having to go to an agent or head office. A study conducted by master's students at the University of Logistics and International Business on Bandung Express shows that rates based on willingness to pay with a high return on investment and a low break-even point are ideal.[11]
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "History of PO Bandung Express, Legendary Bus Company from Bandung City". merdeka.com (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Getting to Know the Owner of PO Bus Bandung Express Miss Jenifer, the Queen of Machines Who Gave Birth to Many Mechanics Handal". iNews.ID (in Bahasa Indonesia). 2022-06-19. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ Sanz (2021-12-17). "Bus Design Trends of the 1980s; From Capsules to GMM Bantengs, the Most Stylish Before the SHD Era Strikes". Autofun. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ W. Adji, Erie (2022-10-18). "Neoplan, The Most Comfortable Bus Body in Indonesia?". otodriver (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2025-10-24.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "A Series of PO Buses from Bandung, the Most Legendary Managed by a Woman Nicknamed the Queen of Machines - News+ on RCTI+". RCTI+ (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Winoto, Rama Prasetyo. "PO Bandung Express, the Legend of the Javanese Intercity Bus That Has Survived From Era to Era". Pikiran Rakyat Jateng (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ↑ Bagaskara, Bima. "Return Flow, Check Bus Ticket Prices from Cicaheum Terminal Bandung". detikjabar (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ Alfianto, Rian. "Want to Take the Bandung–Yogyakarta Night Bus? Here Are 5 Popular Bus Companies". Jawa Pos (in Bahasa Indonesia). p. 2. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ↑ Nugroho 2008.
- ↑ Lagawira, Ockta Prana. "Recommended Sleeper Bus Bandung-Jogja, Affordable Ticket Prices with First Class Facilities! Rebahan Has Arrived at the City of Gudeg". Radar Madiun (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ Wisangkoro 2022.
Bibliography
- Nugroho, S.A. (2008). WAP-Based Bus Ticket Reservation Application at PO. Bandung Express (D3 thesis). Telkom Institute of Technology.
- Wisangkoro, S.B. (2022). DETERMINING THE IDEAL TARIFF FOR PACKAGE DEPOSIT via PO. BANDUNG EXPRESS ROUTE BANDUNG-SURABAYA (TA.13.15.19.25) (Master thesis). University of Logistics and International Business.
Template:Bus companies in Indonesia
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