Traveling solo a few times has made me realize and learn many things. One of them is related to our safety. Sometimes, there is a feeling of anxiety or worry when riding transportation, when traveling alone, especially at night. Moreover, many unpleasant incidents in public transportation make my alarm go off automatically.
These incidents are not only detrimental to passengers but also damage the good name of drivers who really work for sustenance. Personally, thank God I always get good drivers. There are only 1 or 2 drivers who are not in accordance with service standards but are still within reasonable limits and do not endanger safety.
 |
| Source: Canva Recreated by Hertravelnote |
Safety Tips for Traveling on Public Transportation
For those of you who like solo traveling or who like to take public transportation, you must have experienced feelings of anxiety when taking public transportation. I feel the same way. I often travel alone, both for traveling and for business.
Based on my experience, I have some tips to be safe when taking public transportation, both those booked online and offline, when alone or even solo traveling. These tips minimize unwanted things. This applies when traveling solo or also during daily activities or business trips.
Here are some tips on safely taking public transportation when traveling solo.
1. Write down and send the vehicle number and driver's name to the closest person
If you choose an application-based vehicle, ensure the license plate of the car ordered and the one that comes is the same. If they are different, confirm with the online vehicle provider. I usually record the license plate number if it's a public vehicle, such as a bus or taxi, without an online order. This is just in case, especially when you are traveling abroad.
After recording the vehicle number and driver, I usually screenshot it and send it to the closest family member, partner, or friend.
I even asked for the driver's identity when I was out, then took a photo, and they agreed. Ask nicely with a logical and non-offensive reason. If it's a hotel, ask the hotel for the driver's ID. I think it's okay to make sure everything will be okay.
2. Check the seat or rear luggage
I used to work a lot and had to get to the airport early in the morning, around 3 or 4 a.m. For the sake of safety, I always asked the driver to open the rear trunk with the excuse of storing luggage in the back, when in fact I was making sure that the trunk was empty. Discard any bad feelings or fear of offending.
If you get a seven-seater, also make sure the back seat is empty. Have you ever seen a movie in which the villain suddenly appears from the back seat?
 |
| Source: Canva |
3. Use the Share Trip feature
Some online transportation services have now used the trip-sharing feature for passenger safety. So, if, for example, the online vehicle application you use already has this feature, take advantage of it for your safety. Share your trip details with your closest family when using online transportation.
4. Fake call
This is my top tip. Usually, when I get in the car, I will immediately pretend to call my family, partner, or close friends, and make a call with them. Or make a real phone call and make an appointment with the person you're calling. Usually, on the phone, I will mention the trip's details, especially if I am traveling abroad.
I'll mention the license plate, the driver's name, and the taxi number, and always say that I've sent the details of the trip or photos of the data. I can also pretend to say that the other person can check our position through the app we are using.
It's as if the person at home knows where we are and can monitor us through the location app. Make sure the driver hears your conversation. At least if the driver has bad intentions, they will think twice after hearing our discussion.
 |
| Source: Canva |
5. Make sure you are healthy, conscious, and not sleepy
Make sure you are healthy and conscious, and not sleepy. For example, it is better not to go on a trip when you are sick. Worried about fainting in the car? It's dangerous. Including in sleepy conditions. Avoid sleeping in public vehicles to avoid unwanted things. This applies to vehicles ordered both online or offline, especially if traveling alone.
6. Do not remove any items
This is very important, do not like to remove any items when riding online or offline transportation. Especially valuables, this will attract attention, and the risk of loss is also considerable, including cellphones. At the same time, in the vehicle, unless you want to monitor the road through the map.
7. Focus during the trip and don't play cellphones in the car
Focus on the trip to ensure the path aligns with the destination. Or pay attention to the roads we pass. At least if there is anything, there is information that we can remember. If it's your first time at your destination, check before leaving via Google Maps, Waze, or other applications, or ask those who have been there and can be trusted.
Do not play with cellphones while riding in public transportation. In addition to losing focus, it can damage the eyes. Playing with this cellphone can provoke unwanted things. Whether it's theft, falling cellphones when going out in a hurry, being left behind, and so on.
 |
| Source: Canva |
8. Check the trip meter
I ordered a taxi online or offline several times. Already a few meters, the driver forgot to turn on the meter. Help remind them. Be aware, just in case. If you don't use the meter, ensure you agree on the price from the beginning of the trip to get to your destination or make it fix the price.
9. Don't share your ride online with others
There are now several apps that offer shared trip menus with other passengers. Never do it if it's not with people you know, it's unsafe. Especially when you're traveling solo or traveling at night.
10. Open windows and choose bright window glass
Another safe tip for the riding public is to open the car windows, not too big, but at least open, especially at night. This makes it easier for friends if anything happens. Also, if you choose an offline taxi, choose brighter windows.
11. Make sure the car is locked when the vehicle is running
Ensure that the vehicle's car door is automatically locked after walking a few meters. If it's not automatic, ask the driver to lock it or lock it yourself. Have you ever seen a movie where someone broke in while the car was running, and someone entered the vehicle? To avoid this, check the vehicle door carefully, it looks trivial but essential.
12. Sit across from the driver
Make it a habit when taking public transportation, if it is a car, to sit across from the driver. If someone enters, they will most likely enter through the door opposite the driver's, because it is a place to get off. Sitting at the entrance will prevent people from easily entering the vehicle we are riding in.
13. Prepare chili spray
This chili spray tool has become a standard item to carry when we go alone. This chili spray is useful not only when driving but also when other emergencies occur. And some of my travel friends from abroad carry this item for safety.
 |
| Source: Canva |
14. Fill out the Safe Travel application
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs developed an application called Safe Travel. This application controls the security of Indonesian citizens who are abroad. For safety, fill it out before traveling abroad. It is not directly related to online or offline transportation, but it is very useful for the safety of solo traveling.
This application has a "panic button" feature. When you experience an emergency, friends can press the feature button and send photos and videos, send the location of the incident, contact the nearest Indonesian representative, and even send messages to fellow Safe Travel users.
These are some tips for safely riding public transportation when traveling solo. These tips are based on personal experience and sharing with other travel friends. Some of the tips above can also be used when using public transportation every day, given that lately there have been a lot of incidents on public transit. If you have other tips, feel free to share them in the comments column.
0 Comments