WAR
The war caused the loss of permanent jobs and many women became widows. Education was disrupted, with private and Dutch schools ceasing operations. The Surabaya government sought to rebuild the city, including reviving ANIEM for electrical rehabilitation.
Fear of war caused many people to flee, and when they returned, they found their homes occupied by others. Many did not have land ownership documents, forcing them to live in unsuitable conditions. The population increased, leading to a population explosion and high crime rates. Chinese-owned shops were looted, and violence escalated. Despite this, Surabaya managed to recover and became a larger and busier city.
The dynamics of transportation in Surabaya
The development of transportation in Surabaya was greatly influenced by the Dutch colonial government, which made the city a center for collecting plantation products before export. Initially, the main mode of transportation was by boat on the Kali Mas River, but after the construction of Jalan Raya Pos by Daendels, land transportation began to develop. Horse-drawn carts and rickshaws became the main modes of transportation, although they caused hygiene problems.
As industry progressed, transportation in Surabaya became more diverse, including trains, trams, bicycles, and motor vehicles. Bicycles became popular in 1910, while motor vehicles first appeared in 1893. In the early 20th century, taxis and buses began to appear, with the number of taxis increasing from 400 units in 1925 to 750 units in 1927.
In 1941, becaks began to replace horse-drawn carts, with their numbers increasing rapidly. However, becaks were later replaced by helicaks in 1976, which were permitted to operate on main roads. In 1988, helicaks were replaced by Angguna, a new vehicle capable of carrying four passengers. While Angguna was expected to improve the welfare of former helicak drivers, its presence also contributed to traffic congestion in Surabaya.