Creative in the Midst of Pandemic, This Company Turns Buses into Mobile Cafes

Kapanlagi.com - Bus companies in Malang utilize their fleet for a 'mobile cafe' that travels around the city. The buses are designed to bring passengers to enjoy coffee and snacks while experiencing the beauty of the city.

Throughout the journey, visitors receive explanations from a guide about the history of iconic buildings. The route covers approximately 2.5 hours of travel through several historical buildings in Malang.

Romy Yudha, Manager of PO Pandawa 87, revealed that their tourist transportation fleet has stopped operating for the past 4 months due to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, for the past month, the cafe bus named NgopiUklam87 has started operating.

"Tourist transportation has had no income at all, so we decided to manage this idea as a bait or stimulus to revive tourism in the midst of this pandemic," said Romy Yudha on Monday (20/7).

1. Operating Every Day

Kapanlagi/Darmadi Sasongko

The bus cafe operates every day since early June with departures from Realizm Store, Soekarno-Hatta Street, Malang City. Passengers are charged a fare of Rp50 thousand with coffee and snack facilities.

Except on Fridays, there are 4 trips at 10.00 AM, 1.00 PM, 4.00 PM, and 7.00 PM, and on Fridays there are only 3 trips at 1.30 PM, 4.00 PM, and 7.00 PM.

The route taken includes Soekarno-Hatta Street, Borobudur Street, Ahmad Yani Street, Raden Intan Street, Panji Suroso Street, Sunandar Priyo Sudarmo Street, Tumengung Suryo Street, Panglima Sudirman Street, Patimura Street, Trunojoyo Street, Kertanegara Street, and Malang City Hall Square.

After a while at Malang City Hall Square, the journey continues to Kahuripan Street, Semeru Street, Idjen Boulevard Street, Veteran Street, MT Haryono Street, and back to Soekarno-Hatta Street.

2. Use Health Procedures

Kapanlagi/Darmadi Sasongko

Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy Alun-Alun Balikota Malang, which has become an icon of the city. They have the opportunity to take a moment to take selfies in the middle of the journey route.

"We are trying to create a new concept, instead of having coffee in a regular restaurant or cafe, we transfer it to a bus while seeing the condition of Malang City. We support the recovery of tourism in Malang City," he explained.

Yudha emphasized that the bus cafe program is deliberately designed to provide historical education for the community. It's not just about drinking coffee, but also gaining knowledge about historical places in Malang.

"Even though we are Malang residents, sometimes we don't know the history of those places, for example, Malang Station, we just pass by it every day," he said.

Meanwhile, the seats in the bus are designed to be spacious, facing each other and separated by a table. Meanwhile, the bus with high suspension allows passengers to freely look out through the wide windows.

"We miss traveling. It's exciting to go around the city from the top of the bus, it's so relaxing," said Raisa, one of the passengers.

Comfort facilities can be found in the Mercedes-powered bus, including karaoke. It is also suitable for social media activities.

All passengers must go through health procedures by washing their hands and having their body temperature measured before being allowed to enter the bus. Passengers are also required to wear masks, and seating positions must maintain physical distancing.

(kpl/dar/frs)