Budiman (bus company)

Saleh Budiman is a self-taught entrepreneur from Tasikmalaya who started his business journey from a very simple life. Before being known as the owner of a large bus company, he was just a traveling trader who depended on his daily hard work for a living. However, Saleh Budiman had a big dream to become a successful entrepreneur without abandoning the principle of frugal and modest living. Every day he set aside Rp100 and put it in a wooden piggy bank as a form of savings discipline. When his savings reached Rp. 80 thousand, he did not use the money for consumptive needs, but instead used it as initial capital to start a business.^[2][3]

With relatively limited capital, Saleh Budiman began to venture into the larger business world. He collaborated with several entrepreneurs from Banjar—then still an administrative city under Ciamis Regency—and from Bandung. He used this collaboration to purchase used commercial vehicles, including cars and trucks for goods transportation. In the early stages of developing his business, Saleh Budiman was recorded as having three trucks operating to transport various logistics needs, a major achievement for a former traveling salesman.^[2][3]

A significant turning point in Saleh Budiman's business journey occurred in 1992. He saw a huge opportunity in the passenger land transportation sector, especially in the southern West Java region which at that time had not been optimally served. With strong confidence, he decided to buy four bus units at once and founded a bus company named after his last name, namely Budiman. On the first day of operation, PO Budiman buses immediately served the southern route of West Java. The four buses used the Mercedes-Benz OF 1113 chassis, which was known to be tough and reliable at that time. The presence of PO Budiman also received a positive response from the public because it was considered to bring a new standard in transportation services.^[3]

As time went by, PO Budiman's business continued to experience significant development. This company not only served local routes but also opened an intercity and interprovincial bus (AKAP) service with final destinations in the southern part of West Java. Budiman was known for offering more comfortable facilities and services than other bus companies at the time, quickly gaining public trust. Especially for residents of Tasikmalaya City and the surrounding areas, Budiman Bus Company became the primary choice for long-distance travel. Thanks to persistence, consistency, and sound business strategies, the company grew rapidly, operating a fleet of around 1,000 buses.

Saleh Budiman passed away in 2018 after successfully building and growing Budiman Bus Company into one of the largest bus companies in Indonesia. About a year before his death, he had handed over ownership of the company to his two sons, Dede Sudrajat and Ateng Jaelani.^[2][4] Sudrajat is known as a public figure who served as Deputy Mayor of Tasikmalaya for two terms, namely 2007–2017, and based on the State Officials' Wealth Report (LHKPN) report in In 2016, he was recorded as having assets of IDR 15 billion.^[4] Operational leadership of PO Budiman was handed over to his brother, Ateng Jaelani, to maintain the company's continuity and professionalism. Meanwhile, Saleh Budiman's other son, Yonny Budiman, manages PT Jejak Hasanah, a bus operator for mining employees.^[4]

PO Budiman uses a variety of bus chassis and bodies. However, Budiman is known to place more trust in Mercedes-Benz, and the most widely used is the OH 1526 for large buses^[5] and OF 917 for medium buses.^[6] Chassis other than Mercedes-Benz, for example the retired Volvo B7R.^[7]

The bodywork that is often used by Budiman is the bodywork produced by Adi Putro (for large buses) and Laksana (for medium buses), such as Jetbus3+ HDD,^[5] Jetbus5 HDD,^[8] and Tourista SR-3 2300 Ultimate Edition.^[6] However, Budiman also operated bus bodies made by Rahayu Santosa, Karoseri Tentrem, Merpati Bali, Tugas Anda, and Tri Sakti.^[9]

Budiman's main business line is intercity bus (within the province and between provinces). The buses used for Budiman's intercity bus operations can be large buses^[5] and medium buses.^[6] Budiman Bus is centered at the initial destinations of Parahyangan (West and East Parahyangan). Budiman intercity buses connect Tasikmalaya City/Banjar City with DKI Jakarta (Jabodetabek), Central Java (Semarang and Surakarta), Yogyakarta Special Region (Yogyakarta), and Banten (Greater Serang). Intercity buses within the province connect Tasikmalaya City/Banjar City with Bandung City, Cirebon City, and Bandung City with Central Java (Semarang and Surakarta) and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta City).^[10]

Budiman's shuttle bus serves two routes, namely Bandung–Pangandaran–Batu Karas Beach (opened January 9, 2024)^[11] and Tasikmalaya–Kertajati International Airport (opened March 23, 2025).^[12]

In addition to intercity and shuttle buses, Budiman also offers non-route transportation services (tourist transportation and taxis). Budiman buses used for tourism purposes generally use the same bus units as intercity buses, both medium and large buses.^[13] Meanwhile, taxis operated by Budiman serve Tasikmalaya City.^[14]