Holiday exodus has peaked, but its not over yet<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Predictions that the peak of the holiday exodus
\nwould fall yesterday -- three days before Idul Fitri -- turned
\nout to be incorrect as 180,000 people had left the city Sunday.<\/p>\n
Only an estimated 110,000 holidaymakers departed yesterday,
\nincluding 38,000 train passengers and another 60,000 on buses,
\naccording to data from the national Idul Fitri post.<\/p>\n
The data revealed that 152,000 people boarded public land
\ntransportation Sunday, while a further 28,000 departed from
\nSoekarno-Hatta International Airport, Merak Port and in their
\nprivate vehicles.<\/p>\n
The head of the City Land Transportation Agency, J.P. Sepang,
\nsaid Sunday's figures for those traveling by land exceeded last
\nyear's 24-hour peak of 142,000 passengers.<\/p>\n
\"I think the peak of the exodus was recorded on Sunday,
\nbecause many private corporations had started their holidays on
\nSaturday,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"This year is also quite extraordinary because the flow of
\npassengers proceeded in an orderly fashion so, even though the
\ncrowds were huge, everybody got to their bus.\"<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso said, after meeting with President Soeharto
\nat his residence on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta, that this
\nyear's exodus is projected to reach 2.5 million people.<\/p>\n
The number was far less than the Directorate General of Land
\nTransportation's estimation of 3.5 million people traveling out
\nof the city during the Idul Fitri holiday.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso reiterated his warning yesterday that no new migrants
\nshould enter Jakarta. He made the statement during a visit to
\nSenen railway station, in Central Jakarta, and Pulogadung bus
\nterminal, in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He has repeatedly warned people -- who lack the necessary
\nskills and experience -- not to come to Jakarta because it is not
\na dream city and they will become a burden for existing
\nresidents.<\/p>\n
\"I understand that it is difficult to prevent people from
\ncoming to the city. Therefore, the best thing to do now is to
\nactively encourage people to stay in their hometowns and stop
\nburdening this city.\"<\/p>\n
During his visit, Sutiyoso also told passengers not to bring
\nback their relatives and friends.<\/p>\n
He approached a teenage boy and asked him about his
\nbackground.<\/p>\n
\"So you're from Padang ... do you feel that living in Jakarta
\nis easy?\"<\/p>\n
\"It's difficult, Sir,\" the boy answered. \"I've just been laid
\noff ... I was working at a factory but it went bankrupt.\"<\/p>\n
\"So, are you planning to come back?\" the 52-year-old general
\nsaid. \"If you do ... please don't bring companions with you.<\/p>\n
\"Padangnese are usually very good in business and very
\nthrifty, too. I wish you good luck then.\"<\/p>\n
The boy smiled and said he would give job hunting another shot
\nwhen he returns to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
There were more incidents of fare violations yesterday at the
\nbus terminals.<\/p>\n
At Pulogadung, the Apollo bus company charged a passenger Rp
\n42,000 for a one way ticket to Surakarta, far more than the
\nofficial price of Rp 35,000.<\/p>\n
The bus company will be notified of the violation and further
\naction will be taken by Directorate General of Land
\nTransportation.<\/p>\n
Shopping<\/p>\n
After visiting the bus terminal, Sutiyoso headed to Pasar
\nMinggu terminal in South Jakarta and surprised two girls who were
\nshopping near the terminal.<\/p>\n
\"I want to buy new pants and skirts, Sir,\" a seven-year-old
\ngirl said, prompting Sutiyoso to open his wallet and give her Rp
\n20,000.<\/p>\n
\"Here's your Lebaran present,\" he said and the crowd laughed
\nin response.<\/p>\n
The chief of Purwakarta Regional Police, Col. Rakhmat, said
\nthere have been at least 19 traffic accidents in his area,
\nparticularly near the Cikopo gate of the Cikampek toll road,
\nsince Jan. 20.<\/p>\n
\"Sixteen people have died in these accidents.\"<\/p>\n
He expects a rise in the number of vehicles passing through
\nhis area.<\/p>\n
\"I think more than 26,000 vehicles will pass through here
\ntonight,\" he said, adding that the traffic flow peaked last
\nSaturday with 26,000 vehicles.<\/p>\n
The national Idul Fitri post estimates 100,000 people will
\nleave Jakarta today. (edt\/cst)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/holiday-exodus-has-peaked-but-its-not-over-yet-1447893297",
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