Ferries to serve Seribu Islands

Two luxurious ferries, KM Betok I and KM Betok II which are owned by PT ASDP, a state-owned water transportation company under the Transportation Ministry, will begin serving the Marina, Ancol and Seribu Islands routes this month.

"We have almost finished the required preparations for the operation of the ferries, including the development of wharves on Tidung and Kelapa islands," said Imran GP, a section head at the Jakarta Office of the Transportation Ministry.

In order to facilitate loading and unloading activities in Jakarta, Imran told Antara on Thursday that the ministry is now also renovating a wharf in Marina, Ancol.

Earlier Abdul Karim TJ, head of the Jakarta office of the Ministry of Transportation, told The Jakarta Post that the air- conditioned ferries each have 117 seats.

The ferries are scheduled to ply the routes in the morning and afternoon. When Betok I is leaving Kelapa Island for Jakarta, Betok II will be traveling from Jakarta to Tidung Island according to the "crossing mode" plan.

Traveling at 10 knots per hour, Betok I will take three hours to travel the 24-miles between Marina and Kelapa Island. Betok II will require two-and-a-half hours to cruise the 20-mile distance between Marina and Tidung Island.

PT ASDP has set a fare of Rp 3,500 ($1.60) for adults on the ferry linking Marina wharf and Tidung Island subdistrict, and Rp 4,000 ($1.90) on the ferry serving Marina wharf and Kelapa Island subdistrict.

Lower fares are charged for children.

The fares are still lower than those the residents pay if they use the Seribu Islands district office's boats. They must pay Rp 1,500 (70 cents) for a trip to Rawasaban village, Tangerang, and then continue their trip to Jakarta by bus. The trip costs Rp 5,000 ($2.33) in total. (has)