Jaya Utama Indo

PT Jaya Utama Indo

Jaya Utama Indo Bus arriving at Tambak Osowilangon Bus Terminal
Founded	1975 (1975)
Headquarters	Genting Kalianak, Asemrowo, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
Service area	Central Java and East Java
Service type	Intercity bus
Routes	3
Destinations	Surabaya Semarang Jepara Purwodadi
Fuel type	Diesel
Chief executive	Bryandave Sutjitro

PT Jaya Utama Indo is an Indonesian bus company headquartered in Surabaya, East Java. It was founded in 1975 under the name Jaya Utama by a milk trader named Ratna Candrawati. In the current day, Jaya Utama is primarily known for serving the Surabaya–Semarang route. Between Jaya Utama and the company’s other brand, Indonesia, PT Jaya Utama Indo provides intercity, interprovincial economy class and express buses on the Pantura route in East Java. Their head office and main garage are located in Asemrowo, Surabaya.

History

File:Jaya Utama L 7154 UB 29 03 2023.jpg

A Jaya Utama bus serving non-AC economy class is picking up and dropping off passengers in Tuban

In 1975, Ratna Candrawati, a woman who ran a roadside milk stall, received advice from her brother— the owner of the Eka and Mira bus company, Fendi Harianto— to try her hand at the bus transportation business. Although she did not have background in road transportation, she decided to found PO Jaya Utama.

PO Jaya Utama's first route, an intercity bus within the province of Surabaya City–Banyuwangi Regency, failed to garner an adequate response. Candrawati then tried to open a Surabaya–Surakarta City–Solo route, but faced competition from other bus companies on that route. After two failures, PO Jaya Utama found solid ground by opening the Surabaya–Semarang route and acquiring the PO Indonesia route. The company name was changed to Jaya Utama Indo, which it remains today, and operates two brands: Jaya Utama and Indonesia.

Candrawati controlled the company's operations until around 2002, with assistance from her son, Handoko Sutjitro, who later took over operations. On March 21, 2012, the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia awarded the Lifetime Achievement to the Sutjitro family. Leadership was later passed to Bryandave Sutjitro (Bryan), the son of Handoko. Bryan emphasized the importance of more detailed fleet maintenance to reduce the risk of damage and increase customer trust. Under his direction, the company consistently provided economy class buses, rather than switching entirely to non-economy class, as he considered this a strength and distinctive feature of PO Jaya Utama amidst the competitive transportation business.

Currently, PO Jaya Utama Indo is a well-known name on the Surabaya–Semarang route, with a fleet that has been continuously operating since its inception.

Fleet

Bus Jaya Utama Indo with the brand name "Indonesia"

In the early days of its operations, Jaya Utama Indo tried various chassis and bus models, including Mitsubishi Fuso, Mercedes-Benz, and Hino, until finally choosing to focus on the Hino chassis which is easier to maintain, and in line with the development of bus industry trends in Indonesia. The Hino AK 240, RK 280, and RM 280 chassis are very popular due to their powerful engine performance, the use of wide air suspension for driving comfort, and the flexibility of the space frame which is easy to match with various bodywork. As of 2023, 24 bus companies, including Jaya Utama, were using Hino chassis in their fleets.

In the 2020s, Jaya Utama Indo has been investing in a more efficient and reliable fleet in terms of chassis and body construction. In September 2023, Jaya Utama Indo launched a new bus with a aluminum Max Facelift body from the Karoseri Tentrem bodywork company built on a Hino AK 240 Euro 4 chassis, chosen for its balance of performance and efficiency for AKAP routes such as Surabaya–Semarang. This bus is equipped with a 3-2 seating configuration and complete interior features for passenger comfort.

In November 2023, PO Jaya Utama Indo released 5 new AKAP buses marked with a fresh red paint pattern and modern exterior design produced by Laksana body company (Legacy SR-3 HD Prime), which are used for executive class express services with facilities such as TV and toilet in the cabin, showing the company's efforts to expand service options for long-distance passengers.

Routes

Intercity buses

Jaya Utama Indo bus with the "Indonesia" brand

Since its inception, Jaya Utama Indo has made intercity and interprovincial (AKAP) buses its primary business line. Jaya Utama Indo serves both economy and non-economy Patas classes, with bus routes between Surabaya City, East Java, and Semarang City, Central Java. At the end of 2021, the average passenger occupancy rate for Jaya Utama Indo buses was around 15 passengers, out of a total seating capacity of 43. This lower occupancy was related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On the Surabaya–Semarang route, Jaya Utama Indo has quite fierce competitors, including Widji Lestari and Sinar Mandiri Mulia.

Case

In 2020, Handoko Sutjitro, who was then still leading PO Jaya Utama Indo, was questioned as a witness in the investigation of the bribery case and gratification within the Supreme Court (MA) environment which is being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The KPK summoned Handoko in his capacity as a witness for the suspect in the alleged bribery and gratification case involving former MA Secretary Nurhadi and other parties related to the handling of a number of cases at the MA for the 2011–2016 period. This summons is part of a broader investigation, with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigating the flow of money and the relationship between the bribe giver and recipient in the context of a Supreme Court case.

In this case, Nurhadi himself was the primary focus of the investigation because he was suspected of accepting bribes and gratuities worth tens of billions of rupiah related to the handling of cases at the Supreme Court, and has been named a suspect along with several other parties. As the President Director of PO Jaya Utama, Handoko was summoned to provide information to KPK investigators, showing that the alleged bribery practice involved a wide network that also involved business actors from outside the judicial institution. The summoning of Handoko as a witness is part of the KPK's efforts to fully reveal the context of the relationship between the business world and bribery practices within the judicial institution.

References

Template:Bus companies in Indonesia

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