Batam Info / Interest / Help Thread

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

A fair warning to those who choose to save a few bucks by calling grab taxis in Batam
Avoid calling Grab or Uber or risking getting into trouble with the locals.

Taxi service INSIDE the parking or Nagoya Hill is regulated: all taxi obey to the same group rules. That is the reason why taxi inside Nagoya Hill are the most expensive in Batam island, probably.

The good sense rule for tourists should be to avoid to grab a taxi from the taxi desk service in Nagoya Hill, but go outside, just to avoid to overpay so much.

HOWEVER, most tourists and even locals prefer the convenience to take a taxi straight from the stairs, to avoid walking out with shopping bags etc. That explains the surcharge: you don't want to walk 100 m to go out? ok, be happy to pay 60k instead of 40k.

As the taxi service inside Nagoya Hill is regulated, they have a good reason to be angry if someone else offers rides (through Uber or even not) skipping the commission of the official desk. I think it is not even allowed by "law" or whatever you call it.
Personally, should I use Uber, I would call it to pick me up outside Nagoya Hill, not certainly there at the bottom of stairs in front of the line of regular licensed taxies.

Finally, I understand that the physical aggression was against the Uber driver and not against the passenger. Trust me, should anyone would even try to do such a thing to me, it does not matter if I am in Batam or in Singapore, I will not just sit and hope. The respect from people is something we earn.

[D3NI3D]

Fellas my upcoming trip in August is quickly approaching.I'm bringing my 2 Aussie mates with me and its all our first time in Batam. I tried to find information on the 2 questions below but no luck.

2 questions

Sim Cards - Will a Singapore sim card work or will I have to get a Indonesian one?

Money exchange - Could anyone point out a good money exchanger.

Thanks

[SheldonXX]

Didn't know it will be so problematic calling driver to pick me up at Nagoya Hill Mall. During my trip 2 weeks ago, I booked a taxi for 300k to pick me up at Batam Center, until send me back to Batam Center the following day. We didn't encounter this problem with the taxi counter when he came to fetch me after my shopping trip.

[Black Page]

Originally Posted by D3NI3D

2 questions

1) Sim Cards - Will a Singapore sim card work or will I have to get a Indonesian one?

2) Money exchange - Could anyone point out a good money exchanger.

Just read the forum, maybe aided by the magic "search" button, and you'll find all the information you seek.
1) Using the SIN card would be stupid, as you'd be roaming and paying a lot. Buy a local one for few bucks (Simpati costs maybe 140k with 7GB data over 4G).
2) Exchange NOT in Singapore, NOT at the arrival port of Batam (unless you don't even have the 50k for the taxi to go to your hotel, or the 10k-20k to go there by "OJET" - the fastest type of ojek I assume). Once in Nagoya, ask around in not less than 3-4 places to get the best rate.

[silverfiz]

Anyone going batam 2moro 20/7/17? Can tag long?

[Kaboon]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

A fair warning to those who choose to save a few bucks by calling grab taxis in Batam

Avoid calling Grab or Uber or risking getting into trouble with the locals.

Thx for the warning.

Majority of the 99.999% btm LOCALs r nice pple. Only an extreme minority of LOCALs, say around 0.0001% of the total btm local population r knwn trouble makers (not that they deliberately wants to be like that). Like those pple mentioned in the quote below...

Originally Posted by Black Page

As the taxi service inside Nagoya Hill is regulated, they have a good reason to be angry if someone else offers rides (through Uber or even not) skipping the commission of the official desk. I think it is not even allowed by "law" or whatever you call it.
Personally, should I use Uber, I would call it to pick me up outside Nagoya Hill, not certainly there at the bottom of stairs in front of the line of regular licensed taxies.

These r still the 0.0001% who r abv the indo laws.

There's only the need to find the correct solutions to bypass these grp of 0.0001% LOCALs who r abv the laws to get to one's key objective (which in this scenario were, using Uber & Grab).

For those who chose not to "think",specifically for solution of any kind, then it's only right for them to pay that few extra bucks.

[AhPui8]

((((((Re: Unite to fight for our future. (Batam) (OLDMANLIAO)
hellowah cannot afford dun play. stay at home and diy. you treat these women as what? they also need to eat.

Fucking oldman. Why don,t you say something? CCB , What the fuck are those fucking stingy doing? They treat those girl as what? Why you no sound to talk them? I think you are also a fucking style as them. That,s why you keep your mouth shut up with a dick.

Fuck you up now i feel so happy.)))))))

Another years has past by. Fucking cheeby Oldmanliao. Why no sound. And now booking fees gone up i very very happy for all the chee by talk cock last time about unite to fight for our future chee by kia.

Bangkok girls price up is because of korean, japaness china and many other country who anyhow throw money. So nana plaza everything is because of them.

For batam seldom got people anyhow throw money and OKT still dare bring up the price. Stupid stupid cheeby people don,t unite and now the price will go up again and again.OKT dare to do so because he know many singaporean is very very very stupid. No balls to talk back. Only talk cock very clever. Cheeby people talk cock last time very clever but now cry father and cry mother this time say chicken expensive. Go pa chew cheng in hotel or stay at home better la.

And lastly Ya now a cup of TEA very very expensive. HAHHAHHAH.

[devilchan78]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

A fair warning to those who choose to save a few bucks by calling grab taxis in Batam

Avoid calling Grab or Uber or risking getting into trouble with the locals.

Pak another story came about at the same mall.

https://www.allsingaporestuff.com/ar...iver-mob-batam

[nono1973]

Originally Posted by SheldonXX

Didn't know it will be so problematic calling driver to pick me up at Nagoya Hill Mall. During my trip 2 weeks ago, I booked a taxi for 300k to pick me up at Batam Center, until send me back to Batam Center the following day. We didn't encounter this problem with the taxi counter when he came to fetch me after my shopping trip.

I have been using a 200k to 300k full day taxi for over the last 2 years or so,i haven't met with any issue at Nagoya Hill Mall,BCS,Harbor Bay Mall nor any other ferry terminals or shopping center before (yet).

The thing is,if its Uber or Grab in Batam,will I have a problem? What tells these different category of taxi drivers apart? (since I believe they are gonna look quite about the same with those full day taxi drivers anyway)

Hang Nadim airport has their own category of taxis whereby they can only pick up passenger from the airport (what I heard). Silver cab and Blue bird can be differentiate by their taxi color. Hmm...what about Uber and Grab? I am sure they will just look like any other normal vehicle on the road unless....well, they themselves let the cat out of their own bags,hehehe...

Originally Posted by Kaboon

There's only the need to find the correct solutions to bypass these grp of 0.0001% LOCALs who r abv the laws to get to one's key objective (which in this scenario were, using Uber & Grab).

For those who chose not to "think",specifically for solution of any kind, then it's only right for them to pay that few extra bucks.

I have been working on my taxi expenses since the beginning of my batam trips. My solution most often comes with low price and to my convenience. No need to walk out of the way to wait,and yet be paying the lower if not lowest for their fare.

Believe it or not,i have never use Uber nor Grab before...hehehe...not even in Singapore. And Batam could likely be my 1st try. But I will need more information and better understanding of their culture, as to try to outplay its system. No hurry tho,unless they are offering really attractive offers eg,like some Free Rides...hehehe... (since most of my taxi ride today were already very low)

[iicycold]

Originally Posted by S.B.Y.1

A fair warning to those who choose to save a few bucks by calling grab taxis in Batam

Originally Posted by devilchan78

Pak another story came about at the same mall.

finally,yr first post in tis tread after abt 1 year 7mths.

Welcum 2 the new btm tread & thx u 4 the share...

[iicycold]

Originally Posted by nitecrawllerr

When age catching one tend to take things one at a time. No point getting hurt and feel upset thus affecting our health.

Ya lor...sm time open 1 eye,close 1 eye...life wil be easier. Mus not always often tinking all abt negativity. Age reach liao, can let go jus let it go lor...life will be easier & simpler ma...

If reli can't let go,then wat 2 do,go road side play beat the small ppl lor...lol

Originally Posted by nitecrawllerr

Wah. I didnt know maduranis cewek can perform tiger show. But i know their epok ayam is power man. I dont mind paying extra. Tat one consider value added service ya. Any lobang bro?

Ai yo brother,wat i knw u aso knw ma...go 2 a mp in btm,check em out,get 2 knw em a bit & then shw em the smoking pussy pix,& then dare em 2 do it 4 an extra small fee...

1 of the day u shld go try the maduran massage.Cheap cheap onli...

(they do outcall @ another price too but stil wil b cheap la...lol)

[silverfiz]

Anyone in batam today 20/7/17? I m going over ltr. Can tag along? Newbie here.

[BFOMF5]

Last night Xe rate at about 9730.
Change $ ops Formosa
Got 9670 only at Linda
2nd shop was still not open.
Looks like it closed for good.

[BFOMF5]

Welcome diner

[xXFreedomXx]

It has been a lot time I last visited batam. Nice peaceful place to relax and enjoy. What is the latest info of the booking joint? I heard some joints closed down for good and new joints appear
Need to update my signature soon.