For 36 Years, Bandung Barat Students Cross a Reservoir on Rafts

Students at SDN Budiharja in Budiharja village, Cililin district, Bandung Barat regency, West Java, still cross Waduk Saguling on bamboo rafts to get to and from school. Residents of Kampung Sadang and Kampung Gombong have relied on rafts or boats since 1990 because the water route is much shorter. The crossing is about 248 meters and takes only 10 minutes, while the land route requires a 2.28-kilometer detour and can take 30 minutes to an hour. Republika reported that the raft is pulled by a rope stretched across the reservoir. One student, Imam Permana, said he has used the raft almost every day since fourth grade because it is faster. Parents also choose the route because the land access is farther and not every family has a vehicle.