Ferry terminal kept busy

Ferry terminal kept busy

SERANG, West Java: The ferry terminal here reported a sudden
increase since Sunday in the number of people crossing from
Sumatra to Java.

According to Antara, the increase was caused by the hordes of
people in Sumatra coming to visit the Second Istiqlal Festival of
Islamic arts in Jakarta. They came on chartered buses and private
cars from all parts of Sumatra.

The ferry terminal said that the number of passengers that
crossed from Bakauheni in Lampung to Merak jumped from an average
of 10,000 a day to 17,000 and 20,000 a day beginning Sunday.

Consequently, the number of passengers crossing from Merak to
Bakauheni also jumped from 12,500 to between 16,000 and 19,000 a
day, said Chidir Julianto, a port administrator.

Twenty four ferries ply the route crossing the Sunda Strait.
(emb)