Online Rides Leave Pedicabs Behind in Tangerang

Pasar Lama, Tangerang City — December 12, 2025. In the busy streets of Pasar Lama Tangerang, the once-crowded pedicab stands now appear quiet and almost forgotten. Traditional pedicab drivers are finding it increasingly difficult to earn a living as more people rely on online motorcycle ride services such as Gojek, Grab, and other digital platforms. The growing popularity of these services has changed how people travel, especially around the city’s traditional markets.

Traditional pedicabs line Pasar Lama.

According to several pedicab drivers, the decline began when online ride-hailing services became more convenient and affordable. With just a few taps on a smartphone, passengers can order a ride that arrives within minutes. “Nowadays, people prefer ordering rides online. Sometimes I wait for hours and only get one passenger,” said Pak Jaya, a long-time pedicab driver who has worked in the Pasar Lama area for over two decades.

The presence of online drivers around Pasar Lama has created silent competition that favors technology over tradition. Pedicabs, which once served as the main mode of short-distance transport for shoppers, are now rarely chosen. Many pedicab drivers, most of whom are elderly, continue to work despite long waiting hours and low income. For them, adapting to technology is difficult, yet giving up their livelihood feels even harder.

Today, the market area reflects a mix of old and new rows of pedicabs parked beside online drivers scrolling through their phones. This contrast mirrors the rapid modernization of urban life in Tangerang. “People don’t have much time anymore. They want everything fast,” said Rina, a local resident who occasionally still takes pedicabs for short trips. “But I still ride them sometimes it reminds me of the old days.”

For many, the decline of pedicabs in Pasar Lama Tangerang represents more than just an economic challenge. It marks a cultural shift, where convenience slowly replaces tradition. As technology continues to shape modern transportation, the city’s once-iconic pedicabs now struggle to maintain their place amid change.

Despite facing uncertainty, pedicab drivers remain a quiet symbol of perseverance. Their presence in the market streets serves as a living reminder that progress often comes with sacrifice and that not all traditions are easily replaced.