Car salons offer holiday 'makeovers'

Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

Hidayat, a factory worker in Surabaya, is pleased to hear the news that the Surabaya Police are going to provide a security service for motorists returning to their hometowns ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday.

"It makes me feel secure," said Hidayat, on Saturday, of the service, which is offered for the second time this year.

The scheme was first conceived to prevent road robberies and accidents in the holiday season.

Besides providing a sense of security, the program has opened up new opportunities for motorists. As they must travel in a group, they may get to know new people or forge business alliances on the journey home.

The program is repeated this year as last year it was proven successful, the police said.

Surabaya Police chief Sr. Comr. Sutarman said the program helped reduce traffic ahead of Idul Fitri on main streets in East Java.

Sutarman said the police provided security from five days before the Idul Fitri holiday. The motorists -- usually a hundred to a group -- would assemble in Surya Park, downtown Surabaya and two police officers on motorcycles would escort them to the city's outskirts.

Besides the police, some private firms have also provided services for motorists. Telecommunications firm PT Telkomsel has deposited free maps and guides to travel in the holiday season in malls, car dealerships and other public places.

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya, which manages the mini-market chain Alfamart, is providing rest shelters for motorists. The shelters are located in the vicinity of its mini-market outlets in East Java. If a motorist spends Rp 10,000 at an outlet, they will get a free tea, coffee or mineral water.