For Safety, Mudik Travellers Urged to Avoid Unofficial Bus Terminals

Jakarta — Terminal Kalideres management in West Jakarta has urged mudik travellers to avoid boarding buses at unofficial or shadow terminals to prevent undesirable incidents.

“The risk of crime and fraud at shadow terminals is very high and will be difficult to follow up on,” said Kalideres Terminal Head Nur Prasetyo when contacted in Jakarta on Friday.

For this reason, Prasetyo asked the public planning to mudik to board and alight at official terminals in order to maintain safety and service comfort.

“Inside the terminal, security is somewhat better protected, and if there is any criminal activity, it is easier to report it and faster to respond,” he said.

“(This advisory) has also been conveyed to bus operators based here,” he added.

Kalideres Terminal will conduct vehicle safety inspections on Saturday (14 March). The ramp checks will begin at 08:00-20:00 Western Indonesia Time, targeting approximately 30 bus fleets, he said.

“There has been an increase of around 20 percent compared to the previous day, with approximately 800 passengers today,” he noted.

According to him, the increase in mudik passenger numbers follows completion of community activities in the afternoon.

Padang in West Sumatra and other Sumatran regions have temporarily become favourite destinations for mudik travellers at Kalideres Terminal. “Today’s favourite destinations are mostly towards Padang, towards Sumatra generally,” he said.